Both the 'deul' (tower) and 'Jagmohana' (porch) of the
Brahmeswara temple are in the fully developed mature Orissan style. This
temple can be dated with fair accuracy by the use of inscriptions that
were originally on the temple. They are now unfortunately lost, but
records of them preserve the information.
The Sculptural Art
The Brahmeswara shows quite a bit of affinity with the much earlier
"Mukteswara temple",
including the carved interior of the 'Jagmohana', and in the sculptural
iconography such as the lion head motif, which appeared for the first time
in the 'Mukteswara', and is here evident in profusion. There are quite a
number of innovations, however, including the introduction of a great
number of musicians and dancers, some holding lutes, on the exterior
walls. For the first time the use of iron beams was done in the
construction.
The Exquisite Figurines
The carvings over the doorframe contain beautiful flower designs as well
as flying figures. Like the "Rajarani", there are images of the
eight directional Guardian Deities. There are also quite a number of
tantric-related images, and even 'Chamunda' appears on the western facade,
holding a trident and a human head, standing on a corpse. Shiva and other
deities are also depicted in their horrific aspects.
One of the lost inscriptions stated that a Queen 'Kolavati' presented
'many beautiful women' to the temple, and it has been suggested that this
is an evidence of the 'Devadasi' tradition, which assumed such importance
in later Orissan
temple architecture and temple life.