Saturday, January 18, 2020

Satrughnesvara Temple, Bhubaneswar, Odisha

Satrughnesvara Temple, Bhubaneswar, Odisha
Satrughnesvara 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. Satrughnesvara 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 Lakshmanesvara Temple and Bharatesvara 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 Lakshmanesvara Temple and Bharatesvara 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. It is the third temple in the group of temples and located in the southern most corner in the premises. This is the most beautiful temple in the complex as it was the only temple retained most of its original architecture features. 

It is located in the middle among the three temples. This temple is a living temple. Presiding Deity is called as Satrughnesvara. 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. The temple is triratha on plan and triangabada in elevation. The temple has a rekha vimana of early Kalingan order.

The inscribed graha lintel in Satrughnesvara temple can be dated prior to Parasurameswara temple based on paleographic ground. Thus, placing Satrughnesvara temple to the latter half of the sixth century CE, around 575 CE. This graha lintel was found on a niche in the southern eave and has an inscriptions naming these planets. This block has now been moved to Odisha State Museum.  Dvarapalas and ornate scroll works can be found at the doorjambs.

The lintel above the doorjambs does not have Lakshmi or Navagraha panel like other temples. Instead, it has a panel showing Shiva-Parvati in the center. Below them are their mounts, Nandi and lion. They are both seated opposite to each other, separated by a trident which is placed in between.  The front side of the Vimana has the sculpture of Ravana trying to lift Kailasa mountain (Ravana Anugraha Murti) where Shiva and Parvati are seated. Kartikeya and Ganesha are present on either side, while a lion and a bull are below Shiva-Parvati. Ravana is shown with five heads and ten arms.

Above the sculpture of Ravana Anugraha Murti, a sculpture of twelve armed Nataraja is found in the front side of Vimana. He is shown holding a serpent in his two upper hands, spread across his body above his head. His mount, Nandi, is shown seated near his feet on his right. Above the Nataraja image, an image of Lakulisa is present suggesting the affiliation to the Pasupatha sect.

The Vimana have many sculptures and scroll works like Lakulisa, Nataraja along with a Kartikeya on peacock, rare dancing Ardhanareeswarar, Harihara, Ganesha, marriage scene of Parvati and Shiva, Linga pooja by devotees, royal procession, fighting scenes, amorous couples, hamsa motif, makara motif, etc. Only Kartikeya is found as the niche image and the other niches are empty without any idols.

Connectivity
For brief details, please refer below link;

No comments:

Post a Comment