Orissan Art

Orissan Temple architecture

In ancient times, Orissa was known as Kalinga. It was a major seafaring region that controlled and traded with most of the sea routes in the Bay of Bengal. Ashokas Kalinga attack, 2nd BCE

 The golden age of temple construction in Orissa stretched from the 8th to the 13th century but it achieved the pinnacle of glory in the 10th and 11th centuries.

The temples in Orissa represent the development of the Nagara style of IndoAryan architecture. The temples of Bhubaneshwar, Puri and Konark represents a remarkable development of the Orissan temple architecture from the 7th century to the 13th century AD

 Temples as free standing structures came to Orissa after the Gupta period through Dakshina Kosala. The Hindu dynasty of Bhaumakaras important patrons Somavamsis and Gangas inspired the Orissan architects to carry on the spirit of creating their own style of architectural temple representations

 The builders of the Orissan temples gave vent to their feelings on the basis of indigenous canonical texts like Bhuban Pradip, Silpapothi,Silpasastra, Vastusastra Upanisad and many other such texts Style of temple architecture. Though broadly they come under the Northern style or Nagara style,they have certain special features which are unique

The Orissan temples are of three types Khakhara Deul Rekha Deul Pidha or Bhadra Deul

Khakhara Deul The Khakhara Deul is altogether a different style of architecture closely appearing similar to the Dravidian Gopuram design. The word is derived from kakharu (pumpkin,) as the crown looks like a barrel-vaulted elongated roof. The Sakta temples are generally of this style Small temples

Khakhara order. Varahi temple of Chaurasi in Puri district and Vaital temple at Bhubaneswar are two examples of Khakhara temple. Varahi Temple Vaital deul

 Varahi temple of Chaurasi

 Vaital deul 7th- 8th CE

 Orissan temples consist of two principal structures. The first of these (first in the sense that one approaches the temple at this structure, which is "in front of" the other, larger building) is a prayer hall, called a mandapa in north India generally and, in Orissa, also called a pida deul or jagamohana.

 Behind this structure is the vimana, which is comprised of the sanctum of the temple (called a garbha griha, or "womb-house") that contains the image of the deity surmounted by a tower. This tower is called a shikhara in India generally and a rekha in Orissa. Hence in Orissa, the building is called the rekha deul

 Lingaraj temple of Bhubaneswar marked the culmination of the evolution of Orissan temple architecture.

Exactly a century later started the construction of Jagannath temple with the final product of Orissan architects - that was the temple of Konark.
Jagamohan of Konark temple

Lingaraj temple,dedicated to Harihara, 11th CE

 Lingaraja, is the biggest of all temples at Bhubaneswar, is located within a spacious compound wall of laterite measuring 520 feet by 465 feet. The wall is 7 feet 6 inches thick and surmounted by a plain slant coping. This temple has actually four parts: the main temple, the Yaja Shala, the Bhoga Mandapa and finally the Natya Shala

Raja-Rani Temple,Bhubaneshwar,11th CE

 . There are certain features of the temple which proves its Saivite origin like the presence of Saiva doorkeepers: Prachanda and Chanda, Dvarapla with jatamukha and a garland of skulls reaching up to and a snake

Hirapur chausath yogini temple

11th CE This Chaunsath-Yogini temple was built by Somvanshi Kings around 900 AD. The diameter of circular Yogini temple is 30 feet .There are 64 panels having exquisitely carved beautiful 2-feet high. It is 20 kms. from Bhubaneshwara ,

Konark Sun Temple, 13th CE

One of the unique features of this temple is that it was conceived in the form of a great chariot driven by seven steeds. It is the chariot that the Sun god rides in his path across the sky. Two horses stand at the entrance to the first building, the natamandira. On either side of the buildings are seven giant wheels of the chariot.

 The name Konark is derived from the Sanskrit word Kona (meaning angle) and word Arka (meaning sun) in reference to the temple which was dedicated to the Sun god Surya

 Ganga dynasty Legend has it that the temple was constructed by Samba, the son of Lord Krishna. It is said that Samba was afflicted by leprosy, brought about by his fathers curse on him. After 12 years of penance, he was cured by Surya, the Sun God, in whose honour he built the magnificent Konark Sun Temple.

Garbhagriha Jagamohana (reconstructed) Natya mandapa Bhoga mandapa

Orissan Sculpture
Not much is known about early history of Orissa Some random yaksha, yakshi figures found from earlier times Continous and Substantial works of sculpture as well and temple architecture seen only after 7th CE

 Most of the sculptural activity related to temples, most of which were dedicated to Lord Shiva Early phase of Orissan sculpture can be seen on the temple walls of Parasuramesvara temple at Bhubaneshwar

 Usually shallow and iconic relief panels Huge images continuing on various stone blockslater seen in South East Asian art This early stage seems to have been inspired by folk arts and traditions and defies the classicism of Guptas. Full of architectonic sculptures like jalis, gavaksha windows, abstract kalash motifs, rosettes, palm leaves etc. So focus on element of design

 Stone carving is best revealed in the architecture and sculptures of Lingaraja, Jagannath, Mukteshwara and other temples of Orissa. Other noteworthy monuments include the temple chariot of the Sun God at Konark, stupas of Ratnagiri and Udaygiri, Surasundaris heavenly beauties playing on different musical instruments at Konark temple, the Konark wheel, horse, elephant, lion. Other motifs include Krishna and Radha, Laxmi, Vishnu, Durga, Buddha and Ganesha

 Lingaraja temple

 Sculptures in later temples have more of classical qualities and lyrical grace E.g. sculptures seen in Rajarani temple But still element of design is not completely compromised Highly decorated walls

 Giant chariot wheels along the wall of the jagamohana. Scrolls and designs are carved into the surface of the wheel. On each of the spokes, about a third of the way out from the center, is a medallion in which several figures are sculpted.

 Sculptural panel mimicking the architecture of the temple Konark Sun Temple Besides the horses and chariot wheels, there are various free-standing sculptures in the temple grounds, and free-standing sculptures of female musicians at the top level of the jagamohana roof.

 Surya