Khajuresvara Temple Complex, Sergarh, Odisha

Khajuresvara Temple Complex, Sergarh, Odisha

Khajuresvara Temple Complex is a group of ancient temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in Sergarh Village near Balasore City in Balasore District in Odisha, India. The Khajuresvara temple complex preserves Khakhara style temple and a rekha style temple belonging to 8^th century CE.

History

The Temples in Khajuresvara Temple Complex was built between 8^th – 10^th Century CE.

The Temple

The Khajuresvara temple complex preserves Khakhara style temple and a rekha style temple belonging to 8^th century CE. The largest Temple of the entire complex, dedicated to Khajuresvara, was devastated after which a new cement-made temple was built. The idols from Khajuresvara were placed in a newly built deula. The khakhara style temple of 8^th Century CE is still intact. The Temples are made of laterite block.

The Durga Temple in the Temple complex follows Khakhara Style. It is Pancharatha in plan. The doorframe is decorated with two bands of scrollwork. Gaja Lakshmi is seated on the door lintel. The detached architrave consists of Chaitya design housing an image of Hara-Parvati. A horizontal moulding at the base is decorated with the Saptamatrikas and attended by Virabhadra and Ganesa.

There are several stone idols found to be placed in each of the deula. There are a few idols that are found in this temple which date back to the Somavamshi period and carved during 10^th – 11^th Century CE. The idols are mainly carved in laterite. A Buddhist idol can also be found in the temple complex.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 5 Kms from Nilgiri Road Railway Station, 24 Kms from Balasore, 25 Kms from Balasore Bus Stand, 26 Kms from Balasore Railway Station, 167 Kms from Kharagpur, 190 Kms from Bhubaneshwar Airport and 277 Kms from Kolkata Airport. The Temple is situated on Chennai – Kolkata Highway.

Location