Simhanatha Temple, Gopinathapur – The Temple Complex

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 (9^th 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 (9^th 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 18^th century CE by the King of ex-princely state of Baramba but the loose sculptures in the temple can be dated to the 10^th 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 (9^th 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.