Saturday, 6 July 2013

Mukteswar Temple

Mukteswar Temple     Mukteswar Temple,Orissa TemplesKnown for its elegant proportions,   vibrant texture and extra ordinary feature in architectural  conception, Mukteswar temple is one of the most beautiful  temples of Orissa. Dating back to 950A.D., the temple stands as an important transition between the early and later phases of Kalingan School of architecture.The exquisitely carved and lavishly sculpted temple rises 35 feet above ground and every inch of its surface is carved.Having a fully developed Pancharatha plan for the sanctum proper and a square planned Jagamohana with an incipient pidha superstructure in the shape of a stepped pyramid, its every inch of the exterior is carved with delicate and distinct but integrally linked carvings such as clear cut lacings of the chaitya windows. Added to this, the rounding of edges of the pagas give the temple contour a softened look. Both the temple and the porch stand on a low plinth surrounded by a low wall with offset projections and sculptured exterior facing the west.Another unique feature of the temple is its magnificent arched gateway (Torana) facing the entrance through the compound wall. This ornamented gateway is very much reminiscent of the influence of Buddhism in Orissa. In addition, this temple is one of the two temples at Bhubaneswar to have a carved ceiling inside the Jagamohana in the shape of an inverted full blown lotus. On the eastern side of the Mukteswar temple, there is a large well which is believed to possess some extra ordinary healing powers. 

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