Roamingindian at 14:35, 15 July 2025

2025-07-15T14:35:31Z

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{{Short description|Element in Hindu temple architecture}}
{{For|the villages in West Bengal|Deula, Magrahat|Deula, Medinipur}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}
[[Image:Simplified schema of Kalinga architecture.jpg|thumb|right|400px|Simplified schema of a Kalinga architecture temple]]
'''Deula''' is an architectural element in a [[Hindu temple]] in the [[Kalinga architecture]] style of the [[Odisha]]n temples in Eastern India.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.indoarch.org/arch_glossary.php |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120526023645/http://www.indoarch.org/arch_glossary.php |url-status=usurped |archive-date=26 May 2012 |title=Architecture on the Indian Subcontinent - Glossary |publisher= |accessdate=2007-01-26 }}</ref> Sometimes the whole temple is also referred to as ''Deula''. The word "deula" in [[Odia language]] means a building structure built with a particular style that is seen in most of the temples from Odisha.<ref name="Fergusson pp. 92–116">{{cite book | last=Fergusson | first=James | title=History of Indian and Eastern Architecture | chapter=ORISSA | year=2013 | publisher=Cambridge University Press | publication-place=Cambridge | doi=10.1017/cbo9781139814638.007 | pages=92–116| isbn=9781139814638 }}</ref> ''Deul'' is also used in English, though the [[deul]] temples are also of a different form in the [[Manbhum]] region of Western Bengal.

There are three types of ''Deulas'':<ref>http://orissa.gov.in/e-magazine/Orissareview/nov2005/engpdf/Orissan_Temple_Architecture.pdf p. 45-47</ref> In terms of the general north Indian terminology, the Rekha Deula (rekha deul) is the sanctuary and the tower over it, respectively the [[garbhagriha]] and the [[shikhara]], the Pidha Deula (pida deul) is the [[mandapa]] where the faithful are present. The Khakhara deula is an alternative form of tower over the sanctuary, which in shape resembles the oblong [[gopuram]] temple gatehouses in southern [[Dravidian architecture]].

== Rekha Deula ==
[[File:Lingaraj Temple bbsr10.jpg|thumb|right|[[Lingaraja temple]], example of a "shikhara deula".]]
[[File:Shantinath_Temple.JPG|thumb|right|Shantinath Shiva temple at Shihar near [[ Jayrambati]], West Bengal.]]
Rekha in Odia means a straight line. It is a tall building with a shape of sugar loaf, looking like a [[Shikhara]]. It covers and protects the sanctum sanctorum ([[Garbhagriha]]).
Examples :
* The [[Shikhara]] of the [[Lingaraja Temple]] in [[Bhubaneswar]]
* The [[Shikhara]] of the [[Jagannath Temple, Puri|Jagannath temple]] in [[Puri]]
* [[Jagannath Temple, Nayagarh|Jagannath Temple]] in [[Nayagarh]]
* [[Uttaresvara Siva Temple]] in [[Bhubaneswar]]
* The [[Shikhara]] of [[Yameshwar Temple]] in [[Bhubaneswar]]
* The [[Shikhara ]] of the Shantinath Shiva Temple at Shihar village near [[Jayrambati]], [[Bankura]], West Bengal

== Pidha Deula ==
[[File:Konarak-jagamohan.jpg|thumb|right|[[Konark Sun Temple]], example of a "pitha deula" (the larger tower behind has fallen down).]]
It is a square building, typically with a pyramid-shaped roof, rather like the [[Vimana (architectural feature)|vimana]] towers over the sanctuaries of temples in southern [[Dravidian architecture]]. For the halls or service rooms of the temple.
Examples
* The [[Jagamohana]] (assembly hall) of the [[Sun temple]] in [[Konârak]]
* The [[Jagamohana]] of [[Yameshwar Temple|Yameshwara Temple]] in [[Bhubaneswar]]
*The [[Jagamohana]] of the Shantinath Shiva Temple in Jayrambati, Bankura, West Bengal
* [[Digambara Jaina Temple, Khandagiri]] in [[Bhubaneswar]]

== Khakhara deula ==
[[File:Vaitala Mandira.jpg|thumb|right|[[Baitala Deula]] example of a "khakara deula".]]
Khakara deula is a rectangular building with a truncated pyramid-shaped roof, like the [[gopura]]s. The name comes from Khakharu (gourd) because of the shape of the roof. The temples of the feminine deities as [[Shakti]] are temple of that type.
Examples :
* [[Baitala Deula]], [[Bhubaneswar]] (dedicated to [[Chamunda]])
* [[Varahi Deula, Chaurasi|Varahi Deula]], Chaurasi, [[Puri district]] (dedicated to [[Varahi]])
* [[Kedar Gouri|Kedara Gouri]], [[Bhubaneswar]]
* [[Narayani Temple]], [[Khalikote]] (dedicated to [[Durga]])
* [[Durga Temple, Baideshwar|Durga Temple]], [[Banki, Orissa|Banki]]
* Brahmi Temple, Chaurasi

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* http://orissa.gov.in/e-magazine/Orissareview/nov2005/engpdf/Orissan_Temple_Architecture.pdf
* {{usurped|1=[https://archive.today/20120526023645/http://www.indoarch.org/arch_glossary.php Article title]}}

{{Odia culture}}

[[Category:Hindu temple architecture]]
[[Category:Architectural elements]]
[[Category:Monuments and memorials in India]]
[[Category:Indian architectural styles]]
[[Category:Cultural history of Odisha]]

{{India-hindu-temple-stub}}

Deula - Revision history

Roamingindian at 14:35, 15 July 2025