Pancha Pandava Temple, Ganeswarpur – The Temple

Pancha Pandava Temple, Ganeswarpur – The Temple

This temple is in the Panchayatana style of architecture. Panchayatana is an architectural style where the main shrine is built on a raised platform with four smaller subsidiary shrines at the four corners and making it a total of five shrines. Out of four subsidiary shrines, only three shrines have survived and the shrine on the north east corner had been completely disappeared.

Central Shrine:

The main shrine is facing towards east. It consists of Rekha Deul, Antrala and Jagamohana. The vimana and jagamohana are in dilapidated condition. Both are square on plan. The vimana is Pancharatha on plan and triangabada in elevation. The sanctum houses a four armed idol of Lord Vishnu. He holds Chakra & Shanka in his upper hands and shows Abhaya & Varada Mudra in his lower hands.

He is flanked by his consorts Sridevi and Bhoodevi. Both are showing Varada Mudra in one hand and holding lotus in another hand. The exterior of the temple is decorated with architectural motif such as vajramundi, khakharamundi, pilaster design, decorative motifs like chaitya medallion, kirtimukha, purnakumbha and nayikas, amalakasila and Mithuna figures.

North West Corner Shrine:

This Shrine is facing towards south. It has a square rekha vimana. It is Pancharatha on plan and triangabada in elevation. There is no idol inside the sanctum. The exterior is decorated with vajramundis, pilaster designs, miniature chaitya motif, hunting scenes, Krishna Lila, Mithuna, maithuna figures and nayikas.

South East Corner Shrine:

This Shrine is facing towards North. It has a square rekha vimana. It is Pancharatha on plan and triangabada in elevation. There is no idol inside the sanctum. The exterior is decorated with vajramundis, Ashta Dikpalakas, pilaster designs, miniature chaitya motif, hunting scenes, Buddha, Kirtimukha, Mithuna, maithuna figures and nayikas. This Shrine is the best preserved shrine in the entire complex.

South West Corner Shrine:

This Shrine is facing towards North. It has a square rekha vimana. It is Pancharatha on plan and triangabada in elevation. There is no idol inside the sanctum. The exterior is decorated with vajramundis, Ashta Dikpalakas, pilaster designs, Parvati, Kartikeya, Bhairava, miniature chaitya motif, hunting scenes, Buddha, Kirtimukha, Mithuna, maithuna figures and nayikas.