>ClueBot NG at 09:06, 17 May 2021

2021-05-17T09:06:27Z

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{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2018}}
{{Infobox Mandir
| name = Brahmeswara Temple
| image = Brahmeswar Temple, Bhubaneswar.JPG
| caption = Brahmeswara Temple
| map_type = 
| map_caption = Location in Orissa
| country = [[India]]
| state = [[Odisha, India|Odisha]]
| location = [[Bhubaneshwar]]
| coordinates = {{coord |20.239701|85.851764|display=inline,title}}
| elevation_m =
| deity = [[Brahmeswara]]
| year_completed = 1058 CE
}}

'''Brahmeswara Temple''' is a [[Hindu temple]] dedicated to [[Shiva]] located in [[Bhubaneswar]], [[Odisha]], erected at the end of the 9th century CE, is richly carved inside and out. This [[Hindu temple]] can be dated with fair accuracy by the use of inscriptions that were originally on the temple. They are now lost, but records of them preserve the information of around 1058 CE. The temple is built in the 18th [[regnal year]] of the [[Somavaṃśī dynasty|Somavamsi]] king Udyotakesari by his mother Kolavati Devi, which corresponds to 1058 CE.<ref>{{cite web |title=Brahmesvara Temple Complex| url =http://ignca.nic.in/asi_reports/orkhurda028.pdf|publisher= [[IGNCA]]| access-date = 2013-08-24}}</ref>

==History==
Historians place the temple to belong to the late 11th century as ascertained from an inscription carried to [[Calcutta]] from Bhubaneswar. The inscription indicates that the temple was built by Kolavatidevi, the mother of Somavamsi king Udyota Kesari. It was built with four Natyasalas at a place known as Siddhatirtha in Ekamra (modern-day Bhubaneswar). The inscription was recorded during the 18th renal year of Udyotha Kesari, corresponding to 1060 CE. Since the inscription is not in its original place, historians indicate the possibility of the reference to another temple, but based on the location and other features specified, it is ascertained that the inscription belongs to the temple. Also, another issue raised by Panigrahi is that the four cardinal temples are Angasalas (associate temples) and not Natyasalas (dance halls) as indicated in the inscription.<ref name=Parida/>

==Architecture==
The temple is classified as a ''panchatanaya'' temple where apart from the main shrine, there are four subsidiary shrines in the four corners around the temple. The temple on account of its later origin has a perfectly developed structure compared to its predecessors. The ''vimana'' of the temple is {{convert|18.96|m|ft|abbr=on}} tall.<ref name=Parida>{{cite book|title=Early Temples of Orissa|last=Parida|first=A.N.|publisher=Commonwealth Publishers|location=New Delhi|isbn=81-7169-519-1|ref=Parida|year=1999|edition=1st|pages=101–4}}</ref> The temple is built with traditional architectural methods of wood carving, but applied on stone building. The buildings were built in a shape of full volume [[pyramid]], and then they would be carved inside and outside. The total area of the land is 208.84 sq. m. and the temple is built on an area of 181.16 sq. m.

[[File: Plan of subsidiary shrines of Brahmeswara Temple.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Plan of subsidiary shrines of Brahmeswara Temple complex.]]The basic structure of the Orissan temple has two connecting buildings. The smaller is the ''Jagmohana'', or assembly hall. Behind it is the [[Shikhara]], the towering sanctuary. Later temples have two additional halls in front—one for dancing, and the other for banquets.<ref>[[John Julius Norwich]], ed. ''Great Architecture of The World''. p26.</ref>

The Brahmeswara shows quite a bit of affinity with the much earlier [[Mukteshvara Temple, Bhubaneswar|Mukteswar 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 in temple architectural history, iron beams find their first use.

On sandstone walls, there are symbolic decorations and the notion of godlike figures that help the believer in his meditation. The carvings over the door frame contain beautiful flower designs as well as flying figures. Like the [[Rajarani Temple|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 evidence of the '[[Devadasi]]' tradition, which assumed such importance in later Orissan temple architecture and temple life.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.greatbuildings.com/buildings/Temple_of_Brahmeswara.html Temple of Brahmeswara at Great buildings]
* [http://www.whereincity.com/photo-gallery/temples/brahmeswara-temple-263.htm Brahmeswara photo-gallery]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20101221221445/http://ignca.nic.in/asp/all.asp?projectid=orkhr0270001 sculptures]
* [http://ignca.nic.in/asi_reports/orkhurda027.pdf report]

{{Temples in Bhubaneswar}}
{{Shiva temples in Orissa}}

[[Category:11th-century Hindu temples]]
[[Category:Hindu temples in Bhubaneswar]]
[[Category:1058 establishments in Asia]]
[[Category:11th-century establishments in India]]

Brahmeswara Temple - Revision history

>ClueBot NG at 09:06, 17 May 2021