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!
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| 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!
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| Miniature sculptures of Maghesvar Temple |
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| Miniature sculptures of Maghesvar Temple |
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| Another Miniature sculpture of Maghesvar Temple (Actual size is less than three inches) |
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Miniature sculpture of Muktesvara Temple
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| Miniature sculpture of Muktesvara Temple |
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| Miniature sculpture of Muktesvara Temple (Actual size is 3 inches) |
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