Papanasini Temple Complex, Bhubaneswar – The Temple Complex

Papanasini Temple Complex, Bhubaneswar – The Temple Complex

The Papanasini Temple complex consists of Papanasini Temple, Papanasini Tank, Baneswar Temple, Maitreswara Temple and Varunesvara Temple.

Papanasini Temple:

Though the Temple complex is named after this Temple, it is not the main temple in the complex. In fact, it is the smallest Temple in the entire complex. It is a small south facing temple lying in an extreme corner in this complex. The temple just has sanctum sanctorum and it does not have Jagmohana. The vimana follows Pidha Deula Style. There is no deity found in the sanctum. Navagraha panel can be found at the entrance. The temple was believed to be built around 14^th or 15^th century CE.

Papanasini Tank:

Papanasini Tank is one the sacred Theerthams of Bhubaneswar City and is also associated with this Temple. It is locally called as Papanasini Kunda. It was built in the 11^th century CE. There are many ancient temples situated on the banks of this Tank. The prominent among them was this Temple complex. It has step wells in all sides with greenish azure waters. It is believed a dip in this pond relieves one of his sins. The pond is much polluted, periodically it gets cleaned.

Baneswar Temple:

This is another small Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva in the Papanasini Temple Complex. The temple is facing towards east direction. It is situated to the east of Papanasini Temple. The temple just has sanctum sanctorum and it does not have Jagmohana. The vimana follows Rekha Deula Style. The temple has Triratha Vimana. The niches around the temple wall are empty without any idols. Presiding Deity, Baneswar is housed in the sanctum in the form of Shiva Lingam. Nandi can be found facing the sanctum. The temple can be dated back to Somavamshi period in the 9^th century CE.

Varunesvara Temple:

This is an east facing temple situated in the temple complex. The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum and Jagmohana. The vimana follows Rekha Deula Style and Jagmohana follows Pidha Deula Style. Jagamohana follows the Pancharatha plan of its Deul. There is no deity inside the sanctorum. The niches around the temple wall are empty without any idols. Gaja Lakshmi Panel can be found in the lintel and Navagraha Panel can be found in the Uttara at the entrance of Jagmohana. This temple was built by Suryavamsi Gajapati ruler Kapilendradeva in 1449 CE.

Maitreswara Temple:

This is an east facing temple situated in the temple complex. It is the main temple in the complex. The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum and Jagmohana. The vimana follows Rekha Deula Style and Jagmohana follows Pidha Deula Style. The upper portion of vimana as well as Jagmohana are broken. Jagamohana follows the saptaratha plan of the Deul. There is no deity found in the sanctorum.

The niches around the temple wall are empty without any idols except a heavily damaged Parvati idol. Gaja Lakshmi Panel can be found in the lintel and Navagraha Panel can be found in the Uttara at the entrance of Jagmohana. There are a lot of beautiful sculptures around the walls of the temple such as Nagas, Mithuna figures, dancing girls, elephant procession, etc. The temple was built by the Gangas in the 13^th century CE.