Friday, January 17, 2020

Lakshmanesvara Temple, Bhubaneswar, Odisha

Lakshmanesvara Temple, Bhubaneswar, Odisha
Lakshmanesvara Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Bhubaneswar, the state capital of Odisha, India. The Temple is considered as one of the oldest temples in Bhubaneshwar. The Temple was believed to be built in 6th Century CE. Lakshmanesvara Temple is one of three temples located in the same complex and they are all located opposite to Ramesvara Temple. The other two temples located in the complex are Bharatesvara Temple and Satrughnesvara Temple. This group of temples along with Ramesvara Temple completes the set of four temples named after the four main heroes of Ramayana. This Temple is situated on the left side of the road leading from Kalpana chowk to Lingaraja temple and just opposite to the Ramesvara temple. This group of Temples are maintained by Archeological Survey of India.


Legends
It is said that Lord Rama along with his wife Sita, while he was returning to Ayodhya after his victory over Ravana, in Lanka, was passing over Ekamra Kshetra. Sage Vashishta advised Lord Rama to worship Lord Shiva. Lord Rama decided to worship Lord Shiva in Ekamra Kshetra (Bhubaneswar) itself. He installed a Shiva Linga, in the name of Ramesvara and worshipped. His brothers Lakshmana, Bharata and Shatrugna also installed Shiva Linga in a row opposite to the one installed by Lord Rama. Temples were built for these Shiva Lingas at later period. Subsequently, the Lingas installed by Lakshmana, Bharata and Shatrugna came to be called as Lakshmanesvara, Bharatesvara and Satrughnesvara.
History
It is believed that this group of three temples were built by the Shailodbhavas in the later part of 6th century CE. This group represents the earliest extant temples in Bhubaneswar and is an example of earliest Kalingan temple architecture style.

The Temple
This group of temples were in complete ruins and had been restored utilizing ancient materials. In due course, some of the sculptures and stones got interchanged between these shrines. Lakshmanesvara is restored without its crowing member and facing stones, Bharatesvara base was restored with plain blocks of stone, and Satrughnesvara is the only shrine in good state of preservation among the three temples.


This temple shares the same campus with Bharatesvara Temple and Satrughnesvara temple. These temples are constructed in a line on north-south axis. All these Temples are enclosed within a compound wall. This is a west facing temple. Only the lower part of this temple had survived and the temple in current form is reconstruction. It is the first temple in the group of temples and located in the northern most corner of the complex.


This temple is a living temple. Presiding Deity is called as Lakshmanesvara. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Shiva Linga. Nandi can be found facing the sanctum. The main entrance door, in all the temples, is in T-shape design, reminiscent of the Gupta period temples. Dvarapalas and ornate scroll works can be found at the doorjambs. An image of Surya is found above the lintel over the main entrance. The temple is triratha on plan and triangabada in elevation.


The temple has a rekha vimana of early Kalingan order. The interior is plain. Remains of a rectangular plinth in front of the temple suggests presence of a jagamohana (hall). A single pillar is found lying inside the sanctum suggesting that the jagamohana was a pillared hall. The exterior wall is decorated with varieties of motifs, amorous couples, flying Vidyadharas, hamsa, makara motifs etc. Some scattered architectural fragments are found near the temple.


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