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According to an inscription this temple, along with the
inscription this temple, along with the tank near it, came into existence
at the instance of 'Svapnesvara', brother-in-law of the 'Ganga' king
'Rajaraja' (circa A.D. 1171-92), during the reign of the latter's brother
'Anangabhima' (circa A.D.- 1192-95).
Being a dated temple, it has an important place in the development of the
building art of Bhubaneswar
. The course of evolution can, thus, profitably be studied with reference
to another dated temple, the
Brahmesvara temple, which is more than a century older.
The Duel
The most striking feature about the 'Deul' at a height of 15.55m, is the
transformation of the spire, which has assumed a softened and almost
circular appearance, due to the rounding of the sharp edges of the
multiple offsets and projections. On plan, the 'Deul' has now developed
into a 'Sapta-Ratha'.
The 'Bhumi-Amlas' are circular, and both the 'Anuraha' and 'Anuratha' are
shaped like a vertical succession of the miniature replicas of the 'Deul'.
Like the Brahmesvara temple, the rampant lions on the 'Rahas' except the
front one which has the usual elephant under it, rest on 'Kirti-Mukhas'.
The 'Jangha' is divided into two by a set of three mouldings and has the
usual decorative motifs with the seated 'Dikpalas' in the
'Khakhara-Mundis' of the corner 'Pagas' of the lower Jangha'. The
'Pidha-Mundis' of the upper 'Jangha' have mostly figures of divinities. Of
the 'Parsva-'Devatas' only the four-armed Kartikeya, with his peacock
pecking his right hand, is almost intact.
The Jagmohana
The 'Jagamohana', now bereft of its crowning members, is plain and
unfinished. Pilasters, relieved with seven-hooded 'Naga' and
'Nagi'-figures, flank its doorway.