UPSC Exam  >  UPSC Notes  >  History Optional for UPSC (Notes)  >  Temple Architecture: Odisha

Temple Architecture: Odisha | History Optional for UPSC (Notes) PDF Download

Introduction

Odisha Temple Architecture (Kalinga Architecture), also known as Eastern Ganga Style, was predominantly constructed between 750 AD and 1250 AD by the Eastern Gangas. This architectural style can be divided into three distinct phases:

Temple Architecture: Odisha | History Optional for UPSC (Notes)

Phase I: 750-900 ADImportant temples from this phase include:

  • Lakshmaneshwar Temple
  • Bhuvaneshwar Temple
  • Ishwareshwar Temple

Phase II: 900-1100 ADNotable temples from this period are:

  • Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar
  • Jagannath Temple in Puri
  • Puri Temple(also known as the White Pagoda)

Phase III: 1100-1250 ADKey temples from this era include:

  • Raja Rani Temple in Bhubaneswar
  • Anant Vasudeva Temple in Bhubaneswar
  • Sun Temple in Konark (the largest and latest, also known as the Black Pagoda)

Characteristics 

Ground Plan and Vertical Division:

  • The temple has a square ground plan with
    graduated projections on each side, giving it a cruciform shape.
  • It features vertical divisions called Rathas, which include different types like Trirathas, Pancharathas, and Saptarathas.

Main Temple:

  • The main temple consists of the Garbha Griha(sanctum) and Shikhara(spire).
  • In Odishan architecture, the Garbha Griha is known as Deul or Srimandir, and the Shikhara is called Rekha Deul.

Other Parts of the Temple:

Besides the main temple, there are three other components:

  • Mandap called Jagamohan
  • Dancing Hall called Nat Mandir
  • Offering Hall called Bhog Mandir

The structures of these parts differ from the Rekha Deul, featuring a pyramidal-shaped roof known as Pida Deul.

  • Odissan architecture does not include an ardha Mandapa.
  • Temples may have different combinations of these parts, such as only Rekha Deul, Rekha Deul and Jagamohan, or all four parts.
  • Examples of temples with all four parts include Lingraj temple and Anant Vasudeva temple.

Question for Temple Architecture: Odisha
Try yourself:
Which architectural style in Odisha features a square ground plan with graduated projections on each side, giving it a cruciform shape?
View Solution

Khakhara Deula

  • Design Similarity: The Khakhara Deula style resembles the Dravidian Gopuran design.
  • Roof Structure: It features a barrel-vaulted elongated roof with a truncated pyramid shape, akin to gopuras.
  • Common Examples: Sakta temples, such as the Brahmi temple, Varahi Deula in Chaurasi (Puri district), Gouri temple in Bhubaneswar, and Baitala Deula in Bhubaneswar.
  • Pillars and Piers: Unlike typical Odishan temples with no pillars, these temples have piers, which are pillars attached to walls.
  • Hall Design: The halls are closed types, providing a distinct interior space.
  • Wall Treatments: Interior walls are generally plain, while exterior walls are ornamented and decorated.
  • Ornamentation: Exterior decorations include images of deities, sculptures of sacred and popular animals, human figures like dancers, musicians, and erotic figures.
  • Notable Temples: Examples include Lingaraja Temple in Bhubaneswar, Lingraj Temple in Khordha, Anant Vasudeva Temple, Varahi Devi Temple in Chaurasi, Varahi Deula, Vaitala Mandira, and Baitala Deula.

Sun Temple- Konark (also called Black Pagoda) 

Temple Architecture: Odisha | History Optional for UPSC (Notes)

  • The temple, built around 1250 CE, is credited to King Narasingha Deva I of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty.
  • It is the largest and most recent of the Odishan temples.
  • Three main parts:
  • Deul: The sanctum or main shrine.
  • Jagmohan: The hall in front of the sanctum.
  • Natmandir: A pillared pavilion.
  • The temple is surrounded by an enclosure with Torans(ornamental entrance arches).
  • The structure is designed to resemble a gigantic Sun Chariot, featuring 12 pairs of wheels.
  • The wheels are spoked, with 8 broad and 8 thin spokes.
  • The temple is adorned with various sculptures, including erotic figures and free-standing animals.
The document Temple Architecture: Odisha | History Optional for UPSC (Notes) is a part of the UPSC Course History Optional for UPSC (Notes).
All you need of UPSC at this link: UPSC
70 videos|815 docs

Top Courses for UPSC

FAQs on Temple Architecture: Odisha - History Optional for UPSC (Notes)

1. खाखरा देवला क्या है और इसकी विशेषताएँ क्या हैं?
Ans. खाखरा देवला एक प्रकार का मंदिर है जो ओडिशा में स्थित है। इसकी विशेषताएँ इसमें संलग्न भव्य शिल्पकला, अद्वितीय स्थापत्य शैली, और धार्मिक महत्व शामिल हैं। यह मंदिर आमतौर पर चतुरशृंगीय संरचना में होता है, जिसमें शिखर और गर्भगृह प्रमुख होते हैं।
2. कोणार्क सूर्य मंदिर का महत्व क्या है?
Ans. कोणार्क सूर्य मंदिर, जिसे काला पगोडा भी कहा जाता है, ओडिशा का एक प्रमुख धार्मिक स्थल है। यह मंदिर सूर्य देवता को समर्पित है और इसकी भव्यता और वास्तुकला के लिए प्रसिद्ध है। इसे यूनेस्को द्वारा विश्व धरोहर स्थल के रूप में मान्यता प्राप्त है।
3. ओडिशा के मंदिर वास्तुकला की विशेषताएँ क्या हैं?
Ans. ओडिशा की मंदिर वास्तुकला में कुछ प्रमुख विशेषताएँ हैं जैसे की शिखर की ऊँचाई, जटिल नक्काशी, चारों ओर गहराई से डिजाइन किए गए स्तंभ, और अद्वितीय मंडप संरचना। ये मंदिर धार्मिक और सांस्कृतिक धरोहर का प्रतीक होते हैं।
4. कोणार्क सूर्य मंदिर का निर्माण किसने किया था?
Ans. कोणार्क सूर्य मंदिर का निर्माण 13वीं शताब्दी में राजा नरसिंह देव प्रथम द्वारा किया गया था। यह मंदिर सूर्य देवता की आराधना के लिए स्थापित किया गया था और इसकी वास्तुकला और कला के लिए इसे बहुत सराहा जाता है।
5. खाखरा देवला की स्थापत्य शैली को कैसे पहचाना जा सकता है?
Ans. खाखरा देवला की स्थापत्य शैली को इसकी विशिष्ट डिजाइन, जटिल नक्काशी, और चतुरशृंगीय संरचना द्वारा पहचाना जा सकता है। इसके अलावा, मंदिर की भव्यता और धार्मिक महत्व भी इसकी पहचान को दर्शाते हैं।
70 videos|815 docs
Download as PDF
Explore Courses for UPSC exam

Top Courses for UPSC

Signup for Free!
Signup to see your scores go up within 7 days! Learn & Practice with 1000+ FREE Notes, Videos & Tests.
10M+ students study on EduRev
Related Searches

Temple Architecture: Odisha | History Optional for UPSC (Notes)

,

video lectures

,

practice quizzes

,

Important questions

,

shortcuts and tricks

,

past year papers

,

Objective type Questions

,

Temple Architecture: Odisha | History Optional for UPSC (Notes)

,

mock tests for examination

,

Semester Notes

,

pdf

,

Free

,

Sample Paper

,

Summary

,

Exam

,

Viva Questions

,

study material

,

Temple Architecture: Odisha | History Optional for UPSC (Notes)

,

Previous Year Questions with Solutions

,

ppt

,

MCQs

,

Extra Questions

;