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Monuments in Orissa
Between the 7th and the 13th century
AD, architecture in Orissa thrived under the patronage
of the Ganga dynasty. The Kalinga School of Architecture
is believed to have had its origins during this period,
which follows a strict code laid down by ancient
religious texts.
Most of the monuments in Orissa that remain today are
large temple complexes dedicated to a presiding deity,
with the construction of the temple parts likened to a
human body. The rekha deul or curvilinear spire resting
on a square base is unique to Orissa's monuments, while
the interior chamber or the "garba griha" is dark and
built to allow only a glimpse of the deity. The spires
are adorned with symbols of virtue and immortality.
The monuments in Orissa provided for worshippers in a
separate square shaped porch called the "jagamohana" to
congregate and await their turn to pay their respects to
the deity. A pyramidal roof marks the architecture of
the "jagmohana", and is supported by either pillars or
pilasters on the inner walls. A walled courtyard
enclosed the temple complex. The carvings on the temple
range from figures of Gods, to planets, to human forms,
flora and fauna, military and court life. The lion gates
to the temple are another characteristic feature of
Orissa's monuments.
The rigidity of Orissa's temple architecture relaxed during
the Ganga rule, as the "natya mandir" or the dancing
hall, and the "bhoga mandapa" or the hall of offering
were added. Similarly, more layers to the roof were
added and plinths raised. The Lingaraj temple and the
Mukteswar temple in Bhubaneswar, the Sun Temple at
Konark, and the Jagannath Temple in Puri are some of the
monuments in Orissa built in accordance with the Kalinga
School of architecture.
The Vaital Temple in Bhubaneswar reflects a different
architectural theme, with a semi-cylindrical roof and a
lopsided boat shape defining the tower. This and the
Varahi temple at Chaurasi with its barrel shaped tower
bear the influence of the Shakti Cult. The Tantric
influence on some of the monuments in Orissa is seen in
the circular design, sometimes roofless, and enshrining
the images of Bhairav and the yoginis.
Prehistoric Caves in Orissa
Rock art of prehistoric times have been excavated in
Vikramkhol in Jharsuguda. The rock caves, home to
prehistoric man, were decorated with engravings and
paintings of geometrical forms of humans and animals.
Similar caves are found in Sundergarh, Sambalpur and
Kalahandi.
In Dhauli, Jaugad and Sisupalgarh, the rock edicts
demonstrate the highly evolved sculptural skills of
Orissa 2000 years ago.
Jain and Buddhist Sculptural
Art in Orissa
In the first century BC, rock caves were carved out to
accommodate Jain ascetics under the Kharavel(Chedi)
dynasty. The Khandagiri and Udaygiri caves display
highly aesthetic wall panels depicting contemporary
life. In Puri, Keonjhar, Balasore and Koraput, caves
have been unearthed with figures of Jain Tirthankaras
and Sasanadevas and their emblems. Some of the cells
have pillared verandahs circling them.
While Buddhism was followed by the people of Orissa ever
since its origins as a religion, it took a new turn
after King Ashoka adopted its tenets after the Kalinga
war. Between 261 BC to the 12th century AD, Buddhist art
flourished, and sculptures of the Bodhisatva and
Avalokiteswara abound in Lalitgiri, Udayagiri and
Ratnagiri. |
