Narayani Temple, Bhubaneswar, Odisha

Narayani Temple, Bhubaneswar, Odisha

Narayani Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Goddess Parvathi located in Bhubaneswar, the state capital of Odisha, India. Though it is a Skathi Temple, the sanctum houses Lord Vishnu along with his consorts. The Temple is located in the complex of Bhabani Shankar Temple near Mohini Temple and Bindu Sagar. The Temple is also called as New Bhabani Shankar Temple.

History

The temple must have been built in the 7^th or 8^th century CE and it was built by Bhaumakara Kings.

The Temple

This is a north facing temple. The Temple consists of sanctum sanctorum and jagamohana. Vimana is of rekha deula type and Jagmohana is of pidha type. The temple is square on plan. It is partially submerged and only bada portion is visible nowadays. The vimana has floral and scroll decorations. As it was built by Bhaumakara Kings who were mainly practicing Shakta religion and as it is called as Narayani temple, it must have been a temple of Goddess originally. However, the main deity is not found now. Now, the deities of Ananta Narayana long with his consorts Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi are placed in the sanctorum. Pancha Mukha Anjaneya is also found along with the main deity in this temple.

The temple got exposed while digging for a drain. The part exposed is of the eastern face of the Deul (vimana) which has been attached to a Jagamohana (mandapa). However, as basement mouldings of the bada and Jagamohana are different, this suggests that the jagamohana was a later addition. An unusual feature of the temple where raha-niche (bhadra or central niche) is recessed while kanika-niche (karna or corner niches) are projected. The raha-niche of the exposed wall has an image of Uma-Mahesvara.

Uma-Mahesvara image in the raha-niche is unique as this icon in raha-niches of any other temple of Odisha. This particular image is built of a separate stone block and most probably was not part of original design to be fitted into this niche. It might be later period addition. An inscription has been found on the wall of this temple. The inscription is inscribed in two rows and has about twenty-seven characters. The script of the letters helps in dating the inscription to seventh-eighth century CE. This is also supported by the architectural style and iconography.

Connectivity

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2020/02/bhabani-shankar-temple-bhubaneswar-connectivity.html

Location