Miniature sculptures of Orissa

Between the seventh and the sixteenth century the temple building activities in Orissa went on uninterrupted. As various religious sects ruled Orissa during this time they impacted the architectural style and sculptural details. In fact the architecture of Orissa found its supreme expression in the great Sun Temple of Konark built during the thirteenth century. It can be said that Sun Temple was the culmination of a distinct style of architecture called the Kalinga style!  

Kalinga style of architecture had become common throughout Orissa by tenth century itself. This is evident in Mukteswar Temple built during the tenth century. Mukteswar temple is acclaimed as one of the most beautiful temples of India. This temple is elegantly decorated from top to bottom with exquisitely carved sculptures. It is considered as 'Gem of Odisha Architecture'. 

Similarly the Maghesvar temple built during the twelfth century is also studded with delicately carved sculptures. Every inch of this temple is decorated with elegantly carved sculptures. 

I have noticed in most of the temples in Orissa they have used miniature sculptures to decorate the temple walls! Their actual size varies from three to four inches only. These sculptures are carved so meticulously that even a subtle smile in the face of the women is clearly noticeable. Hundreds of these miniature sculptures decorate each temple. In fact you can see thousands of such sculptures in Sun Temple alone if you can patiently look for it! 

Miniature sculpture photographed at Maghesvar Temple (Actual size is three inches)

Some of these miniature sculptures which are seen on a lower level are already vandalized by the visitors and they are disintegrating! Many were mutilated during the invasion of Orissa. It is very sad to see the condition of these invaluable and irreplaceable  wealth! Orissa has too many things like this which are to be protected for the future generations! 

In this post I am publishing photographs of miniature sculptures which I shot in Mukteswar and Maghesvar temples of Bhubaneswar. Take a look!      

Miniature sculptures of Maghesvar Temple

Miniature sculptures of Maghesvar Temple

Another Miniature sculpture of Maghesvar Temple (Actual size is less than three inches)

Miniature sculpture of Muktesvara Temple

Miniature sculpture of Muktesvara Temple

Miniature sculpture of Muktesvara Temple (Actual size is 3 inches)

Vaital Temple Bhubaneshwar

This interesting 8th century temple is dedicated to Chamunda (A form of Kali) and it is one of the oldest temples of Odisha. It also assumes greater significance as it is a rare temple in the country because this temple is used as a shrine devoted to Tantric cult! 

It is said that Vaital Temple is an excellent example of Kalinga architecture. It is a representative of the Khakhara order that was specially devoted to Tantric cults. The entire temple is an exhibition of the finest skill of Orriyan artisans. Some of the sculptures are so fantastic that they almost look like 

living human beings. Each sculpture is decorated with detailed ornaments. The extent to which those unknown sculptures have given importance to the finest detail is simply amazing!  This is one of the finest temples I have visited in India.

This great architectural wonder is on the brink of collapse any time soon, if proper action is not taken by the concerned authorities immediately! Monsoon is the biggest threat to this temple next to indiscriminate encroachment from the neighbourhood. 

Every monsoon this temple gets inundated with rain waters. The temple is below the road level and the main road is practically touching the temple. Hence even with a few millimetres of rain, the rain water from the road gets into the temple and fills the entire floor of the temple including the sanctum sanctorum!  Even the priests can't wade through the waist-deep water to perform the daily rituals during such water logging! Archeological Survey of India has installed a pump to drain the water as a temporary measure. But the problem with this is that the vibrations from the pump is affecting the 1300 years old structure and it may weaken the temple's foundation! 

BDA's (Bhubaneswar Development Authority) Indiscriminate approvals for buildings around this temple and thoughtless planning of the drainage system are responsible for the tragic state of this temple today. ASI is actually helpless in this cases. It seems that the local media have been highlighting this problem for years but sadly no one in the Orissa Government seems to be bothered about this.

The way houses have come up surrounding this temple speaks volumes about the concern the local government is having for these monuments. Houses have come up surrounding this temple encroaching on the drainage channel originating from the temple completely violating the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958. Few years from now it will not be a surprise if this temple vanishes completely! 

Take a look at the pictures in this post. You can observe the encroachments and what a great monument that is left uncared by the government. 

Very S A D!

Dharasuram

Dharasuram is a tiny village located 4 km west of Kumbakonam, in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, India. The main attraction of this village is an ancient temple built by the Chola King, Rajaraja II. This temple is dedicated to lord Shiva and is called Airavateshwarar temple.

 

This temple is a storehouse of art and architecture. The vimana is 85 feet high. The front mandapam itself is in the form of a huge chariot drawn by horses. The temple has some exquisite stone carvings.

 

 

Darasuram temple was built by the Cholas between the 10th and 12th centuries CE and has a lot of similarities with that of Big temple of Tanjavur which was also built by the same king.

  

The main deity's consort Periya Nayaki Amman temple is situated adjacent to Airavateshwarar temple. The temple is a recognised UNESCO World Heritage monument.