Sari Temple, Bhubaneswar – The Temple

Sari Temple, Bhubaneswar – The Temple

The Sari Temple is facing west, consists of only a vimana and a jagamohana. The temple has sanctum sanctorum with Rekha type vimana. It does not enshrine any deity although it used to be a temple of Lord Shiva. There is Jagmohana with Pidha. The vimana and jagamohana are Panchanga Bada in elevation. The vimana is Sapta Ratha and Jagmohana is Nava Ratha on plan. Its narrow courtyard is enclosed by a low compound-wall.

The temple reproduces the fundamental features of Kalingan temple architecture in its mature phase in having a panchanga bada and a saptaratha plan. The facets of the jangha are relieved with meandering creepers, flowers and scroll-work, often containing animal-figures, the central facets being further distinguished by khakhara-and pidha-mundis. The corner khakhara-mundis on the lower jangha-mundis having their female counterparts. Of the parsva-devatas only the chlorite image of Parvati is extant.

The Jagamohana closely follows the Deul in decorative details. The balustraded windows, without any opening, are only ornamental, and considerable skill is displayed in their embellishment. The balusters on the south side are relieved with dancers, while those on the north with musicians. The niche above the south window contains a royal procession with the king seated on an elephant and surrounded by infantry, cavalry and elephants.

The jagamohana is a pidha deula and has two balustraded windows. All available space of the temple bears minute decorations in the same style as at Konark. Some motifs, like a nude female figure standing over a stump like object, and a lady wringing her long hair after a bath while a swan looks on at her feet, which frequently occur at Konark, are also seen here. Such sculptural affinities suggest that it might be built during the Konark temple construction. There is even a possibility that these two temples, belonging to the same period, were built by the same king.

Among the sculptures of the Sari Temple, there is a depiction of royal personage as is evident from the attendants and the parasols held over his head, standing with his left leg raised and bent as though skipping with a rope. A similar figure, in a similar style, is found on the northern Parsvadevta shrine of the Konark temple and on the western bada of the main Simhachalam temple which was built on Narasimha-I’s orders. As the same royal figure appears in these three temples, it may be that he is Narasimha-I on whose order the Sari Temple was erected.

Like the Ananta-Vasudeva and Yamesvara temples, the Sari Temple is noted for its minute carvings. The entire exterior walls of temple are decorated with architectural motifs such as Pidha Mundi and Khakhara Mundi, Naga stambhas, and others. Also, they contain the sculptures/carvings of mythological animals like Virala and Gaja Kranta, flowers, creepers, scroll works, sages, royal figures, warriors, some deities such as Krishna and Parvati, Dikpalas and their consorts such as Indra, Indrani, etc., animals such as elephants, lions, etc. Even few amorous sculptures are also found.

The decorations on the exterior walls are very intricate and attractive. In fact, although hundreds of architecturally beautiful temples are found across Bhubaneswar, only very few temples have such intricate sculptures. Another important feature of the temple is that not only the sanctorum walls but even the walls of Jagmohana are found with intricate sculptures. Even the windows of this temple look artistic. They are not ordinary but balustrade windows with the sculptures of Nayikas (dancing girls) are found in the place of rods.

The sculptures of Nayikas in different postures that are found in large numbers are outstanding. The sculptures of Dikpalas and their consorts found in this temple are rare which cannot be easily found in the other temples of Bhubaneswar. Only Parvati is found as the Parsvadevta (niche) image. The vimana as well as the entrance the temple have Navagraha panels and Lakshmi relief images.