Begunia Temple Complex – Temple No IV

Begunia Temple Complex – Temple No IV

The Temple No. IV is famously called as Siddheswara Temple. This temple is considered as the oldest temple in the temple complex. It is situated on the south western side of the temple complex. The temple is facing towards east and triratha on plan. The temple consists of sanctum, antrala and mandapa. The floor of the sanctum is lower than the doorsill. The sanctum is square on plan.

There is a sculpture of Lord Shiva, seated in the lotus position with a snake on his right above the entrance of the sanctum. He is flanked by two other figures, one female, and one male. The sanctum enshrines the presiding deity Siddheswara in the form of Shiva Linga. The temple is about 36.5 feet tall. The shikara over the sanctum follows rekha nagara style of architecture.

The shikara is surmounted by an amalaka. There are four lion figures placed at four corners below the amalaka. The shikara has some carved panels depicting legends from epics, various incarnations of Lord Shiva, deities, human figures, apsaras and gandharvas. The sukanasa over the antrala has a relief of Lakulisa with his disciples.

The western, southern and northern side of the external wall have three  projections on each face all containing niches. The central niche is capped by a superstructure of tired stages terminating in the lowest stage of the baranda, above which rises the tower. The others subsidiary niches have uniform superstructures of smaller height. Nandi can be found facing towards the sanctum.