Uttaresvara Temple,
Bhubaneswar – The Temple Complex
The temple complex has
Uttaresvara Temple, Bhimesvara Temple, eight identical temples called Ashta Sambhu
Temples, Godavari Tank and few dilapidated temples. Uttaresvara Temple is
considered as an important temple in the temple complex. The temple is
surrounded by the lesser shrines of Bhimesvara in north Sahadevesvara in south
and the compound wall on the eastern and western sides. The Temple is facing
east, and it is a living temple.
Presiding Deity is called as Uttaresvara.
He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Shiva Lingam within circular yoni
pitha. There is a mount pillar installed in front of the sanctum. A Nandi is
placed on top of this mount pillar. There is a four armed Goddess Gajalakshmi
seated in lalitasana over a lotus pedestal at the lalatabimba. The architrave
above the doorjamb is carved with the traditional Navagrahas (nine
planets).
Dvarapalas along with the
attendants are found at the lower portion of door jambs. Idols of Bhairava and
Bhairavi can be found at entrance of sanctum. There is an idol of Lord
Narasimha at the right side of entrance to sanctum. He is facing Lord Uttaresvara.
The Temple consists of Sanctum and Jagamohana. The sanctum has rekha type
vimana.
The Jagmohana has rectangular
flat roof. The vimana is tri ratha on plan trianga bada on elevation. The
Jagamohana is plain with the three niches in the southern wall. The roof of the
jagamohana is very similar to that of Parasurameswara temple, built in two
tiers of sloping terrace, with a clerestory in between. The northern Raha niche
has an idol of six armed Mahisasuramardini.
She holds a wheel in lower
left, a bow in second lower left and the third left hand rests over the demon
Mahishasura. The deity holds a sword in lower right, a spear in the middle and
an arrow in the third right hand. Her left leg is resting over the hip of the
demon. Goddess holds a spear, a sword and an arrow in her right hands. Her left
leg is seen over the hip of the demon. The human faced demon has a torso of
Buffalo.
She is considered as one of
the Ashta Chandi of Lord Lingaraj. (Ashta Chandi of Lingaraj are Bindhya
Bashini at Tala Bazar, Mohini at Southern embarkment of Bindusagar,
Ramayani or Rabani at Pujapanda Sahi on Ratha Road, Kapali of
Tinimundia / Vaital Temple, Uttarayani, Gouri of Kedar-Gouri Temple, Ambika
near Kotitirtheswara Temple and Dwara Bashanti on Bindusagar Road). During the
month of Chaitra offering of Pana to Uttarayani is famous at this place.
The southern Raha niche houses
an image of a four armed Siddhi Vinayaka. He holds a Nagapasa, Parasu,
Modaka-Patra and a staff in his hands. The western Raha niche houses an image
of Kartikeya. Lord Karthikeya in a standing posture. In his left hand he
holds Sula and his right hand rest over his thigh. He has jatamukuta and wears
beaded necklace and a female attendant is standing in his lefts. This
temple is heavily painted in yellow colour by the temple authorities without
knowing its architectural importance.
The other temples and tank in
this Temple complex are;
Bhimesvara
Temple:
Ashta Sambhu
Shiva Temples:
For brief details, please refer below link;
Godavari
Theertham:
For brief details, please refer below link;
Sahadevesvara Temple:
The Temple is situated inside Uttaresvara Temple
Complex near to Bhimesvara Temple. It is believed that
Pandavas visited this place. The temple is facing towards the north. Presiding
Deity is called as Sahadevesvara. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Shiva
Lingam over a circular yonipitha. The Temple has a square vimana with a frontal
porch. The vimana is in pidha order. The doorjambs and lintel are plain
Laterite
Temple:
The temple is located inside
Uttaresvara temple complex. It is a dilapidated temple in the complex. The
temple is buried up to the bada portion. The temple as ascertained
from the visible portion of the bada has a square Pancharatha vimana.
No comments:
Post a Comment