Rajarani temple
The Rajarani Temple is one of the most beautiful medieval Hindu temples in Bhubaneswar , the capital of the east Indian state of Odisha . The temple was probably - despite the lack of a lingam inside - dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva ; its traditional name is derived from the stone material used here.
location
The Rajarani Temple is located on the eastern edge of the temple district of Bhubaneswar about 1.5 km northeast of the Lingaraja Temple .
history
The founder and exact construction time of the temple are unknown. Due to its developed architectural forms, which are similar to those of the Siddheswara Temple , which is only about 400 m to the west , and its almost fully plastic figure decoration, a date to the end of the 11th or beginning of the 12th century is considered likely.
temple
architecture
The temple structure consists of a square vestibule ( jagamohana ) with an entrance facing east and the sanctuary area ( garbhagriha ); Both components differ in their roof shapes - while the vestibule has a multi-tiered pyramid roof ( pitha-deul ), the cella is made up of an approx. 18 m high tower ( rekha-deul ) with numerous accompanying towers ( urushringas ) and a ribbed amalaka ring stone towers. Both components close with an auspicious kalasha jug. The rich wall structure inside the cella and the method of allowing light to enter the vestibule, which is achieved through side window openings with columns or pillars placed side by side, are unusual.
Bauzier
The temple is richly decorated with almost fully sculptured sculptures. Figures of gods (including the 8 guardians of the cardinal points ( dikpalas ) on their companion animals ( vahanas )) as well as lovers ( mithunas ) and “beautiful girls” ( surasundaris ) in different poses. The two pillars to the left and right of the entrance are quite unusual, the shafts of which are entwined with garland- bearing snake guards ( nagas ). Above it is a massive stone lintel beam with the reliefs of the "Nine Planets" ( navagrahas ). The portal walls, as well as other components, are adorned with vegetal tendrils.
literature
- Debala Mitra: Bhubaneswar. Archaeological Survey of India , New Delhi 1984, p. 51ff.
- Robert Strasser: Orissa, Bihar, West Bengal. Regional studies and guides to art sites. Indoculture, Stuttgart 1991, ISBN 3-921948-10-X , p. 94ff.
- TE Donaldson: Hindu Temple Art of Orissa. Volume 1, Leiden 1985
Web links
- Rajarani temple - sketches + information
- Rajarani Temple - Info (English)
- Rajarani Temple - Photos + Info (English)
Coordinates: 20 ° 14 ′ 36.4 " N , 85 ° 50 ′ 36.7" E