Hindu Temples of India: Brahmeswara Temple, Bhubaneswar, Odisha

Brahmeswara Temple, Bhubaneswar, Odisha

Brahmeswara Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Bhubaneswar, the state capital of Odisha, India. The temple is situated on the right side of the Tankapani road leading from Ravi talkies to Tankapani. It is a protected monument maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India, Bhubaneswar Circle.

History

The temple was built in the 18^th regnal year of the Somavamsi king Udyota Kesari by his mother Kolavati Devi, which corresponds to 1058 CE based on the inscription once fixed to the wall of the jagamohana of the main shrine. The inscription was currently in Kolkata. The inscription indicates that the temple was built with four Natyasalas at a place known as Siddha tirtha in Ekamra (modern day Bhubaneswar). As the inscription is not in its original place, historians indicate the possibility of the reference to another temple, but based on the location and other features specified, it is ascertained that the inscription belongs to the temple.

The Temple

This Temple is facing towards east. 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. The temple consists of entrance porch, jagamohana of pidha order and vimana of rekha order. All the four subsidiary shrines are of rekha order. The entrance porch has large door frame with Gaja Lakshmi accompanied by Navagrahas at its lintel.

The vimana and jagamohana are square on plan. The vimana is about 18.96 m (62.2 ft) tall. The interior of the vimana is plain whereas the jagamohana of the temple ceiling is carved with the lotus medallion surrounded by sculptural friezes of royal procession, deer hunting scene, etc. The temple is Pancharatha on plan and Panchangabada in elevation. Presiding Deity is called as Brahmesvara and is housed in the sanctum in the form of Linga within a circular yonipitha.

Niches on kanika pagas have Dikpalas and anartha pagas have various Shiva aspects. Only six of the Dikpalas have survived. Windows are provided on rahapagas of south and north. Kartikeya, Parvati and Ganesha are the niche idols located around the sanctum walls. The temple also houses idols of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Shiva in fierce form. Several images related to tantric activities can also be seen here.