Architectural grandeur of Orissa – the Rajarani temple

The Rajarani temple, Bhubhaneshwar, Orissa

The temple gets its name as it was built by red and yellow sandstone locally named as “Rajarani”. The temple was mainly devoted to Lord Shiva and hence also called as the Indreswara temple. It is also known as the “Love temple”, as it is entirely contains many feminine sculptures and sculptures of sensual couples. The temple is built in the 11th century and is located amidst beautiful paddy fields and amidst colorful blooming flower gardens in Old Bhubhaneshwar.

The amazing high-relief sculptures all around the walls of the temple is a real treat to see. The temple is well constructed on a raised platform. The sculptures of dikpalas (Gods guarding the eight directions -  Indra, Agni, Nirriti, Varuna, Vaayu, Kubera, Yama and Ishana) and dancing deities engraved on the walls are the main highlights of the temple. The cluster of architectural tall towers reminds the Khajuraho temples. The pyramidal Jagamohana (porch) and the square sanctum appears ruined with ages.

The temple is a best example of the Kalinga architecture. Its graceful sculptures remains long in the minds of art lovers.

The Duladeo Temple, Khajuraho

This is my first post about tourism. India is an amazing traditional country storing in itself lot of antique, historical, archaeological heritage in it. I have enjoyed quite a lot of places in India. I would like to share some of them through News Chips. Hope you may like them.

The Duladeo Temple, Khajuraho

The sculptural art of Indian temples are truly the most amazing feature to be admired. Khajuraho temples treasures some exceptional sculptures in it. The international tourists who come to India to admire the beauty of Taj Mahal also visit these magnificent Khajuraho temples.

The Duladeo temple in Khajuraho district of Madhya Pradhesh is an excellent example of Indian ancient architecture. The temple is built by King Madanavarman of the Chandel dynasty on the banks of the Khudar river around 1130 A. D. The exterior walls of the temple are completely filled with well refined erotic poses of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. The jawdroppping sculptures on the walls and the roof of the temple attracts lots of people to the place.

The villagers depend on their farms and tourists for their income. The village remains untouched by modern culture and vehicles. Thus the tourists usually use bicycles to visit places around the temple. The virgin nature of the people and the fresh new atmosphere are really cherishable.

Information displayed by the Indian Tourism Board about the temple :

"Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Temple faces east and consists of a sanctum without ambulatory, vestibule, Mahamandapa and an entrance porch. The Sikhara is clustered around by three rows of minor Sikhara, its Mahamandapa shows some peculiarities of design and decoration. The Mahamandapa is octagonal showing twenty apsaras bracket which are elaborately crowned and heavily ornamented. The flying Vidyadharas, Apsaras and other sculptures are generally stereo typed and over burdened with ornamentation in many cases. Some of sculptures such as Ashtavasu figures which are invariably depicted with a crocodile mount in place of the bull, and the two Dikpalas, Yama and Nairiti wear the raised curls in a stylized fan shape are note-worthy. The original temple can be dated to the early half of the 12^th century A.D. and it has been extensively repaired and restored in a later date."