Odisha Architecture

Though ancient time, this Eastern tradition has also incorporated modern values as India, Odisha became a modern nation state.  Traditional Vastu Shastra remains influential in Odisha's architecture during the contemporary era. Wooden architecture and rock cut architecture became popular solidified  . The  temples consists essentially of a chambered sanctuary topped by a superstructure, tower, or spire and an attached pillared porch or hall enclosed by a peristyle of cells within a rectangular court.

Architecture in paintings, art, handicraft of Odisha  are very exquisite pieces of art as they represent architecture that dates back to the 1st century BC. The caves were   decorated with beautiful sculptural motifs which is a big part of India’s historical art. These architecture clip art pieces present a very clear and picturesque view of the contemporary society . Odisha architecture art artisans and artists are very talented and possess excellent skills. All kinds of architecture arts both modern and medieval like paintings, wood carvings, sculptures, etc. 

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


Mukteswara Temple

Mukteswar is one of the major  gem architecture temple of Odisha ,bhubaneswar. It is unique monument constructed in the year 950 AD of 10th century , made for meditation & temple's name Mukteswara devoted to Lord Shiva, who gives freedom  and is carved with figures of ascetics in several poses depict stories from the Panchatantra written by Vishnu Sharma. 

 The Gateway to this temple excellent combinations of Hindu and Buddhist and Jain features, which find a common voice in much of Odisha temple craft., modeled on the torana recovered from the field in Bhubaneswar, bears sculptures that range from elaborate scrolls. The sculptured gateway, the jagamohana with diamond shaped latticed windows and decorated interiors and the plethora of sculptural work all deserve mention rising to a height of 35 feet. 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. Richly sculpted, the temple offers pride of place to tales from the Panchatantra. The sophisticated architectural style holds a magnetic appeal that lies in its indigenous glory.

Rajarani Temple

Rajarani temple is one of the architectural splendors of Odisha ,Bhubaneswar in 11th century in the district of Khurda located towards north-east of Lingaraj temple. Earlier Raja Rani temple was known as Indreshwara Temple, which was dedicated to Lord Shiva. The entire structure exudes grace and elegance set in open paddy fields . It is famous for its sculpted figures and the successive tiers of projections rising to form its 18 m tower and also the tall and slender nayikas (temple figures) carved in high relief on the walls-figures in amorous dalliance and in such acts as fondling her child, looking into the mirror, taking off her anklet, caressing the bird, playing instrument, holding branches of trees etc.

It has a square sanctuary and its interior and exterior surfaces are so recessed that it appears circular. The ornamental deul stands diagonal to the severely plain jagamohana. They are standing from the entrance in a clockwise order surrounding the porch and the deul to end back at the torana. The eight guardians carved around the shrine are Indra-God of rain, Agni-God of fire, Yama-God of death, Nirriti-God of suffering, Varuna-God of ocean, Vayu-God of wind, Kubera-God of wealth and Ishana (Shiva.) , dressed in diaphanous drapery they stand on lotuses, with their mounts below.

Bhairavi temple

Berhampur is famous for a temple dedicated to Maa Bhairavi. It has become an important Sakti Pitha Venerable for the fisherman community that lives in nearby villages Mantridi. Tourists from almost all parts Odisha  Andhra Pradesh visit this holy shrine every day. The idols of several goddesses and gods are enshrined in the temple premises. The important dates with the deity are the Sankranties of the Hindu calendar, and all Tuesdays.


Nearest major Railway Station is Berhampur- 18 kms 4 Km.
Nearest airport is Bhubaneswar (190 km) and Visakhapatnam (260 km)

Lingaraja Temple

 Lingaraja Temple is built by Jajati Keshari in 11th century in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The significance is self-originated Lingam. One can easily reach Lingaraj Temple by taking local buses or by hiring Taxis from the city of Bhubaneshwar.

The term 'Lingaraj' suggests 'the king of Lingas', where 'linga' is the phallic form of Lord Shiva .
The remarkable structure of the temple gives the tint of Kalinga style of architecture. The aesthetic sculptures look at their apex in this architectural exhibition. Erected in red sandstone, Lingraj Temple has the stone of the darkest shade. The huge temple complex covers the vast lands of Bhubaneshwar in a stretch. The tall spire of the temple extends to the height of 55 meters and literally, dominates the skyline of Bhubaneshwar. The spacious courtyard comprises 50 small shrines that are dedicated to several Gods of the Hindu pantheon.

The temple  is the biggest and finest temple of Odisha.
Jagara or Shiva Ratri or the night of Shiva is a festival held in honour of the God.
It is a Hindu temple dedicated to Harihara, another name for Shiva and
  a revered pilgrimage center and the capital of the state of Odisha.
The temple is more than 1000 years old, dating back in its present form to the last decade of the eleventh century, though there is evidence that parts of the temple have been there since sixth century AD as the temple has been emphasized in some of the seventh century Sanskrit texts. This is testimony to its sanctity and importance as a Shiva shrine. By the time the Lingaraj temple was constructed, the Jagannath (form of Vishnu) cult had been growing, which historians believe is evidenced by the co-existence of Vishnu and Shiva worship at the temple.The Lingaraj temple stands majestically as the largest temple in Bhubaneswar. At 55 metres high, it dominates the landscape with 150 smaller shrines in its spacious courtyard and is surrounded by massive walls lavishly decorated with beautiful sculptures.

This magnificent temple, dedicated to Shiva, represents the quintessence of the Kalinga type of Hindu architecture. Along with the Raja-Rani Temple, it is the pinnacle of the architectural exhibition at Bhubaneswar. It contains a profusion of sculptural work. It is built of red sandstone which gives it a darkest color.

Konark Sun Temple

Konark is located on the Bay of Bengal, 60 kms from Bhubaneswar and 35 kms from Puri. Itis a small town in the District of Puri and one of the points of the Golden Triangle of Odisha. Konark is world famous for its unique stone carved sun temple which is dedicated to Lord Surya(sun) which is heavily decorated with stone carving and chandrabhaga with sunrise and it is also known as the Black Pagoda. Every year Thousands of people visit to this destination. It was constructed by King Narasimhadeva I (1238-1250 CE) of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty from oxidized and weathered ferruginous sandstone. The name Konark is derived from the Sanskrit word Kona (meaning corner) and word Arka means (sun). The entire complex temple was designed in the form of the God's huge chariot drawn by seven spirited horses on twelve pairs of exquisitely decorated wheels at its base.

The temple is guarded by two giant lions, which are shown crushing a war elephant. Each elephant in turn lies on top of a human body. The temple symbolizes the majestic stride of the Sun God. At the entrance of the temple is a Nata Mandir. The dancers  perform their dances in homage to the Sun God. Here the stone surpasses the language of man."

 Dhauli Hill

Dhauli Hill (Dhaulagiri) is situated near Daya River, 8 km south of Bhubaneswar in Odisha India. Dhauli hill holds the distinction of being the place where Ashoka, the Mauryan Emperor renounced war and embraced Buddhism. The peace pagoda (Shanti Stupa) remains at the top of the tourist choices for the delicate structure of the stupa and the monastery near it. The Saddharma Vihar monastery and the Shanti Stupa make the Buddhist pilgrim a special attraction, and a place to feel eternal peace of mind.

The main of the artifacts, ancient and archaeologically invaluable is the Ashokan edicts. These are specific due to the inscriptions, written on rock, some of them by Ashoka himself, and are rare pieces of art. The Dhauli edicts are written in the Prakrit language using the Brahmi script. The other major attractions of Dhauli Hill include Saddharma Vihar monastery, the ancient sculptures and the some very extraordinary art forms. The nearest airport and railway station is that of Bhubaneshwar. Dhauli can be reached by Bus, or rented Taxi.

Jagannath Temple Puri

The grandeur of architecture and the crafts is the main top of the high sculptures cultural speak about the history of Puri District. Puri is also known as Jagannath Dham or Purusottam khetra or Bada Deula and popularly for the adobe of Lord Jagannath and famous for annual Rath Yatra or the Car Festival, chandan yatra, many more fair and fesival, handicraft ( sand art), beautiful beaches, Chilka Lake and Simlipal National Park, Govardhana matha , Sringeri, Dwaraka,Jyotirmath, Adi Shankaracharya, Historic antiquities ,Religious sanctuaries , Architectural Grandeur , Sea-scape beauty, moderate climate etc.

It is situated  Just  62 km  from Bhubaneswar. Puri is the holy city of the hindus as a part of the char dham pilgrimages. According to Hindu parmpara,  without a journey to Puri Jagnnath temple a pilgrimage is not considered to complete. one of the best beaches where both sunrise and sunset can be viewed. In the festival of  Rath Yatra in Puri the three deities Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra appear in the huge chariots in modern times in the temple background.

The District is happy for different religions, sects and faith in course of history, Hindu, Buddhist, Jaina, Muslim, Christian, Sikh found here. Cultural program is organized on every second saturday of the month two hours, in the evening at the collector's conference Hall C (Near Sea bech Police Station) Puri by District Council of culture. Apera is the very popular mobile drama troupe in the puri. Museum is popular for different veshas of Lord Jagannath, Sculptures of various Kinds, Patta paintings palm leaf paintings, numerous varieties of Handicrafts . Bada Thakura(Lord Jagannath), Bada Danda(Grand Road), Bada Deula(Jagannath temple), Bada Raja(King of puri), Maha Prasada(cooked food from the temple), Maha Dipa(oil candel), Bad Danda(Big road) etc. are notable persons and things in Puri.