Simhanatha Temple,
Gopinathapur – The Temple Complex
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 the south east corner shrine has survived. Several pidha shrines have been added in the complex at a later date housing the sculptures from the collapsed corner shrines.
This temple is facing towards east. The temple is triratha on plan and triangabada in elevation. The temple is precursor to the Pancharatha plan. The temple has a rekha vimana and terraced roof jagamohana. The vimana is square on plan whereas the jagamohana is rectangular. The Sanctum houses the presiding deity, Simhanatha, in the form of Shiva Linga within a circular yonipitha. The Linga is found to be broken.
The interior is plain except the ornate doorjambs of the vimana and the niches surmounted the lintel carved with the images of Uma Mahesvara playing dice and surmounted with an image of Lakulisa. The temple is richly carved with sculptural panel and decorative motifs. Images of Brahma, Kartikeya, Vishnu, Parvati, Linga Puja votive slab, Mahisasuramardini Durga and Lakulisa can be found fixed to the compound wall.
Somanatha Temple:
The
temple is situated inside the Simhanatha temple complex. The temple is facing towards west.
The temple is triratha on plan and triangabada in elevation. The temple consists
of rekha vimana and frontal porch. The temple is square
on plan. The Sanctum houses the presiding deity, Somanatha, in the form of
Shiva Linga within a rectangular yonipitha. The exterior of the temple is decorated
with architectural motifs and sculptural motifs.
Nilamadhava Temple:
The
temple is situated on the southern side of the main shrine within the temple complex. The temple is of later
construction, but the presiding deity is dated to Somavamsi period (9th
century CE). The
temple is facing towards north. The temple is triratha on plan and plain bada
in elevation. The temple has a rekha vimana of Kalingan order. The vimana is
square on plan and stands over a raised platform. The Sanctum houses the
presiding deity, Nilamadhava. He is four-armed holding wheel in upper right
hand, conch in upper left hand and lower two hands rests on the head of Bhudevi
and Sridevi. A flying Vidyadhara can be seen on the top. The temple is devoid
of decoration.
Isanesvara Temple:
The
temple is situated inside the Simhanatha temple complex. The temple is of later
construction, but the Parsvadevta images is dated to Somavamsi period (9th
century CE). The temple is facing towards east. The temple
is square on plan. The
temple has a pidha vimana. The Sanctum houses the presiding deity,
Isanesvara, in the form of Shiva Linga within a circular yonipitha. Ganesha,
Mahishasura Mardini are the niche idols located around the sanctum walls.
Dakshina Kali Temple:
The temple is situated on the
southern side of the main shrine within the
temple complex. The temple is believed to be built in 18th century
CE by the King of ex-princely state of Baramba but the loose sculptures in the
temple can be dated to the 10th century CE (Somavamsi period). The temple
is facing towards east. The temple is Pancharatha on plan and Panchangabada in
elevation. The temple is square on plan. The temple has a pidha vimana. The
Sanctum houses an idol of six-armed Dakshina Kali holding bow, conch and
pitcher in the left hands, sword and Varadamudra in the right hands. She is
found seated over a conical crown seat.
Arnapurna Temple:
The temple is situated inside the
Simhanatha
temple complex. The temple is of later construction, but the presiding
deity is dated to Somavamsi period (9th century CE). The temple is
facing towards east. The temple is rectangular on plan. The temple has a
khakhara vimana. The Sanctum houses an idol of a four-armed Parvati. She is
locally called as Arnapurna.
Lokanatha Temple:
The temple is situated to the
south eastern side of the main shrine within the
temple complex. The temple is facing towards north. The temple is triratha
on plan. The temple has a rekha vimana of Kalingan
order. The vimana is square on plan. The Sanctum houses the
presiding deity, Lokanatha, in the form of Shiva Linga within a circular
yonipitha. The exterior surface is completely plastered in later period. An
eight-armed Mahishasura Mardini can be seen on the eastern Parsvadevta niche.
Vishnu Shrine:
There is a shrine for Lord
Vishnu close to the western wall of the
temple complex. This shrine houses a four-armed Vishnu in standing posture.
He is holding wheel in upper right hand, varada mudra in lower right hand,
conch in upper left hand and mace in the lower left hand. Female devotees
flanking the god in the lower part whereas flying vidyadhara on the top.
Kartikeya Shrine:
There is a shrine for Lord Kartikeya
close to the western wall of the
temple complex. This shrine houses a two-armed Kartikeya sitting over his
mount peacock, holding an arrow in the right hand and an unidentified object in
the right hand and flying vidyadhara flanking the god at the top.
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