The Mukteshwar temple, Bubaneshwar - an example of Odisha's architectural splendor

Mukteshwar temple, Odisha.kevinstandagephotography.wordpress.com

Built in Nagara style of architecture, native to odisha,  the  Mukteshwar Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva in the capital  city of Bhubaneswar is an awe-inspiring place of worship where one can come across a  perfect harmony of sculptures and architecture. Bhubaneshwar is often called a "Temple Town" as it is home to many well decorated  and  sculpted temples temples located in close proximity to each other.

This 10th century old temple appears to represent a  transitional period  as it is revealed by its design  marking the early  and later stages of Kalinga architectural style. Kalinga  rulers  like the Chola and Hoysala and Vijayanagara rulers of the south were great builders of temples  during their heyday.  This temple was built between 960 - 975 AD by the Somavanshi Kings. 

Mukteshwar temple odisha. kevinstandagephotography.wordpress.com

Above image:  Mukteshwar temple, Bubaneshwar, Odisha.  Eye-catching arched torana at the entrance  On the other side is another temple complex called Siddheswara Temple. 

Mukteshwar temple, Bubaneswar, Odisha. mandirmandir.com

Mukteshwar temple, Bubaneswar, Odisha. mandirmandir.com

Above image: Mukteshwara temple, Bubaneshwar, Odisha.  you can see the   pyramidal entrance porch called  Jagamohana and a curvilinear spire  called deul in Orissa and  shikhara / vimana in other parts of India. The temple tower just 35 ft tall  has impressive carvings. ......................

Torana , Mukteshwar temple, Bubaneswar, Odisha. flicker.com

Mukteshwar temple, Odisha. bibhudevmisra.com

Above image:   West facing temple has an ornate entrance. The temple faces west; it is said  the best time to visit the temple is evening as one  can  enjoy  view  of the effects of the falling light on the red sandstone structure.

The Kalinga  kings  changed the shape of the shikara and preferred a perpendicular prismatic shape. The discernable difference in the temple  architecture is with respect to  tower. One can see the convergence of the tower vertically near the apex toward the circular  kalasa.  Mukteshwar temple, a classic example of this style was built as per  plan and with no additions in the subsequent periods.   The  5-story tower or shikhara  has  a pidha superstructure in the shape of a stepped pyramid and is bedecked with four Natarajas and four kirthi mukhas on  four faces.  The striking features of this temple are the  correct proportion, exquisite torana or stone archway  and ceiling with eight-petal lotus inside its porch.

 Mukteshwar temple, Odisha.bibhudevmisra.com

Above image: The Yali or gaja-vyala  image with a woman warrior riding it. Yali  combines physical features of  a lion and elephant. The Yali  supposedly is the  protector of the temple premises. The image of  Yali  is common in  countless Hindu temples.  


Mukteshwar temple, Odisha 123rf.com

Mukteshwar temple, Odisha 123rf.com

Above image: The ornate temple spire is called deul locally (shikhara or vimana elsewhere in India)..............................

The  35 ft tall tower (west facing)  made of red sandstone  is crusted with  impressive carvings of ascetics in meditative posture and women  bedecked with  jewelry. These delicate features in the stone  highlight the technical expertise and talents of the Vishwakarma Moharana sculptors of the past era. The tower over  the sanctum sanctorum (garbagriha)  is higher than the square Jaganmohana or porch with its pyramid-shaped roof .

 Mukteshwar temple, Odisha kevinstandagephotography.wordpress.com

Mukteshwar temple, Odisha kevinstandagephotography.wordpress.com

Mukteshwar temple, Odisha kevinstandagephotography.wordpress.com

The artistic torana or arched gateway dominates the portal through which one can access the temple. The carvings on the archway both front and back  are interesting  and similar and they vary from  elaborate scrolls to animal images. The archway stands  apart from the  main temple  and is being supported by two pillars on either side within a semicircular pediment.  The arch has  beautiful sculptures on it, among which  an image of the fabled lion-head with open jaws, flanked by attendants stands apart.  In the temples of  Odisha built later   one can see this  image.  The Buddhist architectural influence is brought out by  twin thick pillars  with strings of beads and various ornaments carved on statues of women in lethargic pose.

The temple with the  porch stands on a low plinth within a low octagonal compound wall  and has a massive pyramidal shaped roof,  Earlier the temples had a conventional  2 tier structure. 

The walls of the porch  are provided with diamond-shaped lattice windows  with a view to making  the interior well-lit. Hence, in the interior the nicely carved images  are quite visible 

https://www.thehindu.com/features/homes-and-gardens/mukteshwar-temple-a-perfect-example-of-odiyan-architecture/article6249103.ece

https://www.bibhudevmisra.com/2019/07/mukteshvara-temple-bhubaneshwar.html