Nagesvara Temple, Bhubaneswar
Encyclopedia
Nagesvara Temple is a disused Hindu
temple located in the village of Bhubaneswar
. It is situated on the
western right bank of the Lingaraja West Canal at a distance of 10.35 metres (34 ft) west of Subarnesvara Siva Temple
, located across the canal.
The garbha griha
of the temple is empty.Nevertheless, the sculptural embellishments on the outer wall of the temple suggest that the temple was originally dedicated to lord Siva
.
The temple incorporates numerous niches for statuary, although the statuary itself is no longer extant. The exterior of the temple is made from ochrous
sandstone
(resembling the material of the Mukteshvara Temple) that is ornately carved in the style of the Kalinga Kingdom
.
The temple was restored and renovated by the Orissa State Archaeology department, during which work the stones were marked in white paints, which largely distort and deface the architectural edifice.
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
temple located in the village of Bhubaneswar
Bhubaneswar
Bhubaneswar is the capital of the Indian state of Orissa, officially Odisha. The city has a long history of over 2000 years starting with Chedi dynasty who had Sisupalgarh near present-day Bhubaneswar as their capital...
. It is situated on the
western right bank of the Lingaraja West Canal at a distance of 10.35 metres (34 ft) west of Subarnesvara Siva Temple
Subarnesvara Siva Temple
Subarnesvara Siva temple is situated on the left bank of Lingaraja west canal, which can be approached through Kotitirthesvara lane leading from Parasuramesvar temple to Bindu sagar. It stands opposite to Nagesvara across the Lingaraja west canal at a distance of 10.35 metres. The temple is facing...
, located across the canal.
Description
Nagesvara Temple is located in the midst of a residential/agricultural area within the village of Bhubaneswar. It stands facing east on a platform that is 5.6 metres (18.4 ft) wide by 5 metres (16.4 ft) deep by 0.4 metres (1.3 ft) high. The temple itself rises to a height of 8.15 metres (26.7 ft).The garbha griha
Garbhagriha
Garbhagriha or Garbha griha is the small unlit shrine of a Hindu temple.Garbhagriha or ' is a Sanskrit word meaning the interior of the sanctum sanctorum, the innermost sanctum of a Hindu temple where resides the murti of the primary deity of the temple...
of the temple is empty.Nevertheless, the sculptural embellishments on the outer wall of the temple suggest that the temple was originally dedicated to lord Siva
Shiva
Shiva is a major Hindu deity, and is the destroyer god or transformer among the Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity of the primary aspects of the divine. God Shiva is a yogi who has notice of everything that happens in the world and is the main aspect of life. Yet one with great power lives a life of a...
.
The temple incorporates numerous niches for statuary, although the statuary itself is no longer extant. The exterior of the temple is made from ochrous
Ochre
Ochre is the term for both a golden-yellow or light yellow brown color and for a form of earth pigment which produces the color. The pigment can also be used to create a reddish tint known as "red ochre". The more rarely used terms "purple ochre" and "brown ochre" also exist for variant hues...
sandstone
Sandstone
Sandstone is a sedimentary rock composed mainly of sand-sized minerals or rock grains.Most sandstone is composed of quartz and/or feldspar because these are the most common minerals in the Earth's crust. Like sand, sandstone may be any colour, but the most common colours are tan, brown, yellow,...
(resembling the material of the Mukteshvara Temple) that is ornately carved in the style of the Kalinga Kingdom
Kalinga Kingdom
Kalinga forms the sea shore of Orissa and Andhra region of Andhra pradesh state in India. Kuru king Duryodhana's wife was from Kalinga. Kalingas sided with Duryodhana in the Kurukshetra War...
.
Preservation status
The temple today is in generally good condition, except for some painted surfaces that have deteriorated. The exterior shows signs of vegetation overgrowth.The temple was restored and renovated by the Orissa State Archaeology department, during which work the stones were marked in white paints, which largely distort and deface the architectural edifice.