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. 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. Mukteswara
temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, Mukteswara, is carved with
figures of ascetics in several poses of meditation. 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.
History
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.
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
About the Deity
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. 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.
Place to see
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.
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.
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.
