Paschimesvara Siva Temple

Paschimesvara Siva Temple
Paschimesvara Siva Temple Location in Orissa
Geography
Coordinates	20°14′46″N 85°50′02″E / 20.24611°N 85.83389°E / 20.24611; 85.83389Coordinates: 20°14′46″N 85°50′02″E / 20.24611°N 85.83389°E / 20.24611; 85.83389
Country	India
State	Orissa
Locale	Bhubaneswar
Elevation	18 m (59 ft)
Culture
Primary deity	Mahishamardini
Architecture
Architectural styles	Kalingan Style (Kalinga Architecture)
History and governance
Date built	8th century A.D.

The Paschimesvara Siva Temple is located in Badu Sahi, Old town Bhubaneswar- the temple city of India. This temple dates back to the 8th century AD, and belongs to the Bhauma Epoch. The superstructure of the temple has collapsed since long. However, information about the temple can be gathered from the stylistic features of the detached sculptures of Karttikeya, Ganesa,Parvati and Narsimha. What is present now, is a lingam over a heap of stones.A flight of steps leading to the lingam from the west suggest that the temple originally faced the west.

Location

It is situated on the south-western embankment of the Bindusagar lake, hence the locals call the shrine Paschim(meaning west)esvara Siva. The geographical coordinates of the temple are Lat-20°14'46, Long-85°50'02. The elevation is 61 ft.

Ownership

Single/Multiple: Multiple

Public/Private: Private

Property Type

The Property Type of the temple is Structure and Subtype is Temple Foundation. The typology cannot be ascertained due to the absence of a superstructure.

Significance

Information about the historic and cultural significance of the temple can be gathered from the stylistic features of the detached sculptures of Karttikeya, Ganesa,Parvati and Narsimha. It is presently a living temple. Local traditions attribute the temple to the Kesharis(Somavamsis). Saivite rituals like Sivaratri and Sankranti are observed.

Plan

The temple is surrounded by the Markendesvara Siva Temple in the west at a distance of 15.5 meters, Akhdachandi in the northwest corner at a distance of 2 meters, Bindusagar in the east at a distance of 1.5 meters and private residential buildings in the south. The stones that make up the temple remnants are mostly sandstone and laterite. The construction style is dry masonry.

Threats to the Property

Detached and loose sculptures

Four detached sculptures are kept in the northern side of the ruins;one is a four armed Parvati holding rosary in herupper right hand and nagapasa in upper left hand. At the base the deity is flanked by two female attendants and two animals, on either side. On the top there are two flying vidyadhara on either side carrying garland in both hands.The second ditched sculpture is a four armed Ganesa sitting over a decorated pedestal, supported by an atlantid gana at the centre, which is flanked by two jackfruits. The deity is holding parsu in his upper left hand and modaka patra in lower left hand,while his upper right hand is holding a rosary and lower left hand is broken. Since the mouse mount is missing the deity may be ascribed to the 7th – 8th century AD. The third detached sculpture is a two armed Kartikeya sitting on a peacock in lalitasana. The fourth detached sculpture is a four-armed Narasimha image in his ugra form standing on a decorated pedestal. The image is weather beaten and features are not very clear. In front of the Narasimha is a deulacharini.

Grade

The grades of the temple are(A/B/C)

References

• Lesser Known Monuments of Bhubaneswar by Sadasiba Pradhan (ISBN 81-7375-164-1)