 Mukteswara temple dedicated to Lord Shiva,
Mukteswara, is carved with figures of ascetics in several poses
of meditation. The highlight of the temple, is the magnificent
torana - the decorative gateway, an arched masterpiece, reminiscent
of Buddhist influence in Orissa.. The sculptured gateway, the
jagamohana with diamond shaped latticed windows and decorated
interiors and the plethora of sculptural work all deserve mention
in this temple dedicated to Shiva Although it is only a small
monument rising to a height of 35 feet. Literally every inch
of its surface is carved. This temple has also been described
as a dream realized in sandstone and it is a monument where
it is said sculpture and architecture are in complete harmony
with one another. This 10th century temple built in the year
of AD 950, is an important transition point, between the early
and the later phases of the Kalinga school of temple architecture.
The sculptural decoration of the Mukteswara is exquisitely executed,
and it is often referred to as the "gem of Oriya architecture".
Richly sculpted, the temple offers pride of place to tales from
the Panchatantra. The arched gateway is particularly fine. It
also shows excellent combinations of Hindu and Buddhist and
Jain features, which find a common voice in much of Orissan
temple craft.
Architecture
The sculptural decoration of the Mukteswara is exquisitely executed.
The beautiful sculptures eloquently speak of the sense of proportion
and perspective of the sculptor and their unique ability in
the exact depiction of the minutest objects. The builders of
Mukteswara Temple introduced new architectural designs, new
art motifs and new conceptions about the icnography of the cult
images. There are a number of depictions of skeletal ascetics
among the sculptural images, most of them shown in teaching
or meditation poses, which seems appropriate as the name Mukteswara
means "Lord who gives freedom through Yoga". The sculptures
in the ceiling of the jagamohan are also an entirely different
creation. This 10th century temple has some of the most ornate
carvings and renditions of the Panchatantra tales. Sculptures
can be found of elephants, monkeys, lions, and other animals.
Around the windows of the Jagmohana are monkeys engaged in a
variety of humorous and lively scenes depicting popular stories
from Panchatantra.
 The sophisticated architectural style holds a magnetic appeal
that lies in its indigenous glory. Orissa temples like others
in India are not merely abodes of deities but a Shraddhanjali
(offering) to the most sacred. They are characterised by exquisite,
ornamentally carved Gods and Goddesses, kings and queens,
animals and flower motifs. Orissa is probably the only State
where one can study temple architecture in all its successive
stages of development. This beautifully decorated, elaborately
carved temple is not far from the Parsurameswar temple. It
is one of the smallest temples and the compactness of the
temple is also very striking. The tank inside the compound
is still used by the priest and the devotees. It is believed
that tossing coins in the well will cure a women suffering
from infertility. On the door frame one can see the carvings
of the local saint, Lakulisa. Its earthy red sandstone body
is encrusted with intricate carvings, depicting starved lean
looking Sadhus (holy men) to voluptuous, become women bedecked
with jewels
Mukteswar's most distinctive feature is the arched gateway
also called "Torana" dated about 900 A.D. The Torana
shows the influence of Buddhist architecture. This thick pillared,
arched gateway is beautifully carved with strings of beads
and other attractive ornaments with statues of smiling women
in languorous postures. In the yard stands the Kedareswar
Temple, with a striking 8 feet statue of Ram Bhakt Hanuman
(the monkey God). With its small dimension (10.5m height)
and red stone masonry it is a glorious synthesis of the old
and new styles of the Kalinga School. With a fully developed
pancharatha for the main sanctuary and a square planned jagmohana
(porch or entrance) and an embryonic pidha superstructure
in the shape of a stepped pyramid, every inch of the exterior
has dainty and distinct carvings, such as the clear cut lacings
of the Chaitya windows. The rounded edges of the pagas (segments)
give the temple a mollifying look. Both the temple and the
porch stand on a low plinth surrounded by a low wall with
offset projections and sculptured exterior facing west. The
porch is remarkable for the sculptural treatment of the interior
— a rare feature in Orissa Temples
About the Deity
On the outer face of the compound wall are niches containing
a variety of divinities. These include Saraswati (sitting
on a lotus with two female attendants by her side), Ganesa
(with his attendant mouse), and Lakulisha (the fifth century
founder of the Pashupata sect of tantric Shaivism), who is
portrayed sitting cross-legged, with two miniature ascetic
figures in the triangular side panels. The fact that these
wall niches include Buddhist and Jain images as well as Shaivite
(Hindu) ones attests once again to the synthesis which was
so much a part of Orissan religious life. The 'torana' (arched
gateway) of the Mukteswara deserves special attention. Its
extraordinarily beautiful sculpture includes elaborate scrolls,
graceful female figures, monkeys, peacocks, and a wealth of
delicate and lovely decorative detail. On the eastern side
of the temple compound is a sacred tank, and in the south
west corner is a well which is said to cure fertility problems.
Several small shrines will be noticed within the compound,
many with lingam inside. These were offering shrines depicting
utmost faith in God for all purposes during that era.
Places to see
Orissa State Museum
A mini-Orissa with artifacts, sculptures, coins, textiles,
traditional instruments, manuscripts and more which provide
the visitor with a comprehensive insight into Oriyan culture.
Parsurameswar Temple
This is the best-preserved, and therefore also the most beautiful,
of Bhubaneshwar's early temples.
Rajarani Temple
Never completed, the 12th century Rajarani Temple still ranks
among the finest of Bhubaneshwar's later temples.
Bindu Sagar
An important landmark of the Old Town, the Bindu Sagar (Ocean
Drop Tank) is to be found just north of the Lingaraj Temple.
Tribal Museum
This museum provides an insight into the tribal culture of
Orissa.
Handicrafts museum
It is situated on Secretariat Road and has a vast range of
handicrafts collection.
Main Attraction
Good place to shop for woven Ikat fabric, applique work, silver
iligree jwellery, stone carvings and patta chitra paintings.
The Ashokaashtami procession is in Mar/April, Bali Yatra,
a fair is held in Oct/Nov. |
