Daksha Prajapati Temple, Banapur, Odisha

Daksha Prajapati Temple, Banapur, Odisha

Daksha Prajapati Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Banapur Town in Khurda District in Odisha, India. The Temple is also called as Dakshesvara Temple. It is a protected monument maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India, Bhubaneswar Circle. The Temple is situated on the right side of Balugaon – Bhagavati Temple Road in Banapur town.

History

The Temple was believed to be built by Gangas during 13^th century CE. The Temple is a protected monument maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India, Bhubaneswar Circle.

The Temple

This Temple is facing towards east. The temple is situated in a compound surrounded by low walls. The temple consists of Rekha Vimana, Pidha Jagamohana, Pidha Nata Mandapa and flat roofed Bhoga Mandapa. Nata Mandapa and Bhoga Mandapa are built on a raised platform whereas the Deula and Jagamohana rise directly from the ground. The Vimana, Jagamohana and Nata Mandapa are Pancharatha on plan and Panchangabada in elevation whereas the bhogamandapa is an open pillared Mandapa.

The Sanctum houses a Patalphuta Shiva Linga within a circular yonipitha. Ganesa, Kartikeya and Parvati are the niche idols located around the sanctum walls. The exterior of the vimana is decorated with pidha mundis, khakhara mundis, gaja vidalas, female figures, erotic sculptures and beautiful scroll work. The khakharamundi in lower jangha contains seated Dikpalas and the pidhamundi in the upper jangha carry their female counterparts in the kanika pagas.

The khakharamundi in the anuratha pagas at lower jangha depicts images of Vishnu, Sikhadana motif, nayikas, etc. The pidhamundi in upper jangha depicts images of Gajalakshmi, Ganesha, Yogapatta Narasimha, nayikas, etc. There are shrines for Budhima, Budha Linga and Mahavir in the temple premises. These shrines are added in the later period.

An idol of Hanuman can be seen in the right side of the temple compound. He is seen holding a Gada in right hand and hill in left hand. An Idol of Lokesvara in the compound is said to have brought from Achutarajpur village, a famous Buddhist site of the locality. There is an excavated well inside the temple premises. An idol of Goddess Ganga Devi in sitting posture can be found in the temple premises.

Festivals

Shivarathri, Sitalasasti and Sankranti are the festivals celebrated here.

Contact

Daksha Prajapati Temple,

Banapur Town,

Khurda District – 752 031

Phone: +91 674 255 8170

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 5 Kms from Balugaon Railway Station, 6 Kms from Balugaon, 50 Kms from Ganjam, 81 Kms from Brahmapur, 101 Kms from Puri and 104 Kms from Bhubaneshwar Airport. The Temple is situated on the right side of Balugaon – Bhagavati Temple Road in Banapur town.

Location