Trilochanesvara Temple, Jajpur – The Temple Complex

Trilochanesvara Temple, Jajpur – The Temple Complex

The temple is facing towards west. The temple consists of a rekha vimana and a pidha jagamohana of Kalingan order. The temple is Pancharatha on plan. Both the vimana and jagamohana are square on plan and stands over a low platform. The sanctum houses the presiding deity, Trilochanesvara in the form of Ekamukha Shiva Linga within a circular yonipitha.

The exterior wall of the vimana is embellished with decorative motifs,  Linga puja, fighting scenes, mithuna, maithuna images, lion and semi divinities. Sculptures of Uma Mahesvara, Hanuman, Kartikeya, Ganesa, Parvati, Bikshadana, Ravananugraha Moorthy, a musician, mithunas, a horse, milching of a cow, etc. can be seen on the bada.

Budha Linga Temple:

The temple is situated on the north west corner of the temple complex. The temple is believed to be built by Gangas in 14^th century CE. The presiding deity and the sculptures fixed in the temple wall can be dated to the 14^th century CE. Choudhury Raisaheb Narasingha Charan Mohapatra, the zamindar of Jajpur, rebuilt the present temple in 1942.

This temple is facing towards west. The temple has a pidha vimana of impoverished Kalingan order. The vimana is square on plan. The sanctum houses presiding deity in the form of Shiva Linga within a square yonipitha. Mahishasura Mardini, Bharabahaka, royal procession, erotic figure and makaramukha can be seen on the external walls of the temple.

Kali Temple:

The temple is situated in front of the Trilochanesvara temple within the temple complex. The temple might have been built by Bhaumakaras in 8^th century CE. The original temple is completely lost due to nature’s fury and Islamic invasions except the presiding deity. The current temple is recent construction. This temple is facing towards north.

The temple consists of a pidha vimana and an open RCC mandapa. The vimana is square on plan whereas the RCC mandapa is rectangular on plan. The sanctum houses an idol of eighteen armed Chamunda. Idols of Chamunda in sitting posture can be seen on the front wall of the sanctum on either sides. The left image is four armed while the right image is eight armed.

Champesvara Temple:

The temple is situated on the southwestern corner of the temple complex. The temple is believed to be built in 18^th century CE during Maratha rule. The temple is facing towards east. The temple has a pidha vimana of impoverished Kalingan order. The vimana is square on plan. The temple is buried up to the bada portion, only the entrance portion is opened to access into the sanctum. The Sanctum houses Champesvara in the form of Shiva Linga within a square yonipitha.

Chaturmukha Shiva Linga Temple:

The temple is situated in front of the Trilochanesvara temple within the temple complex. The temple is believed to be built in 11^th century CE by Somavamsis. This temple is facing towards west. The temple is triratha on plan and triangabada in elevation. It consists of a square vimana only. It is a dilapidated temple that exists only up to the bada, enshrining a Chathur Mukha Shiva Linga in the sanctum. The doorjamb is decorated with scroll work, kirtimukha design and dvarapala at the base. A ten-armed Mahishasura Mardini can be seen in the northern Parsvadevta niche.

Svamisvara Mahadeva Temple:

The temple is situated at about 100 metres to the west of the Trilochanesvara temple within the temple complex. The temple is believed to be built in 18^th century CE by Marathas. This temple is facing towards east. The temple has a pidha vimana of impoverished Kalingan order. The vimana is square on plan. The sanctum houses the presiding deity, Svamisvara Mahadeva in the form of Shiva Linga within a square yonipitha. An image of four armed Parvathi and a latticed design window on the southern wall can be seen on the exterior walls.

Someswara Temple:

The temple is located at about 150 metres from the Trilochanesvara temple complex. The original temple might have been built by Bhaumakaras in 8^th century CE. The present temple was built over the original structure by the local zamindar Raisaheb Choudhury Narasimha Charana Mohapatra in 1942. This temple is facing towards east. It has a rekha vimana of impoverished Kalingan order. The vimana is square on plan.

The temple is triratha on plan and Panchangabada in elevation. The Sanctum houses the presiding deity, Somesvara in the form of Shiva Linga within a circular yonipitha. Ganesha, Parvati and Uma Mahesvara are the niche idols located around the sanctum walls. An image of ten armed Mahishasura Mardhini can be seen in the rear wall. Images of Surya, Parvati, Lakulisa, Shiva Lingas, architectural members and Buddhist can be seen in the temple premises.