Temple Architecture of Orissa

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The Orissa temples have their own distinct style which gradually evolved into a more elaborate plan, highly decorative plastic figures and taller sikharas.

The Mukteswara temple belonging to the 19th century AD. is the most elegant example of the changing style and is said to be "A gem of Orissan architecture in sandstone". It is a small temple and stands 10.50 metres high. Every available inch of the exterior wall is decorated with intricate sculptures or graceful figures in different poses and depict stories from the Panchatantra written by Vishnu Sharma of Orissa. The ceiling of the Hall of Audience has a beautiful canopy of an eight-petalled lotus with an icon sculpted on each petal. The vertical ribbed shikhara is made up of towers which are miniature shikharas. The elaborately carved stone arched gateway or torana in front of the temple is an exquisite piece of architecture and is a particular feature of this temple only.

The temples of Bhubaneshwar and Jagannath Puri built between the 11th and 13th centuries AD are typical specimens of the Orissan style of architecture. The characteristic features of these temples are the Viman or sanctuary, the Jagmohan or assembly hall, the Nat mandir or dancing hall and the Bhog mandir or hall of offerings. The halls usually have no pillars. The exterior of the temples is adorned with sculptures whereas the interior is bare.

The Orissa temples have their own distinct style which gradually evolved into a more elaborate plan, highly decorative plastic figures and taller sikharas.

The Mukteswara temple belonging to the 19th century AD. is the most elegant example of the changing style and is said to be "A gem of Orissan architecture in sandstone". It is a small temple and stands 10.50 metres high. Every available inch of the exterior wall is decorated with intricate sculptures or graceful figures in different poses and depict stories from the Panchatantra written by Vishnu Sharma of Orissa. The ceiling of the Hall of Audience has a beautiful canopy of an eight-petalled lotus with an icon sculpted on cach petal. The vertical ribbed shikhara is made up of towers which are miniature shikharas. The elaborately carved stone arched gateway or torana in front of the temple is an exquisite picce of architecture and is a particular feature of this temple only.

The temples of Bhubaneshwar and Jagannath Puri built between the 11th and 13th centuries AD are typical specimens of the Orissan style of architecture. The characteristic features of these temples are the Viman or sanctuary, the Jagmohan or assembly hall, the Nat mandir or dancing hall and the Bhog mandir or hall of offerings. The halls usually have no pillars. The exterior of the temples is adorned with sculptures whereas the interior is bare.

The most famous temples of this type are the Rajarani temple and the Lingaraja temple in Bhubaneshwar, the Jagannath temple in Puri and the Sun temple in Konark.