TEMPLE

ARCHITECTURE
NORTHERN INDIA
(INDO ARYAN)
• BHUBANESWAR An IDEAL CAPITAL CITY “Nehru did not
want Bhubaneswar to become a ‘city of big buildings’.

• It would accord with the idea of reducing differences

between rich and poor.” Architect: Dr. Otto.
H.Koenigsberger
• Bhubaneswar (20°15'N latitude and 85°50'E longitude), is an
area covering 91.9414 sq.km.
• • The place has evidently derived its name from its principal
deity Tri-Bhubaneswar or Bhubaneswar.
• • Has two distinct divisions, viz., the Old Town and the New
Capital.
• • The following stages have affected the structure of the
city: a) The Temple Town (Upto 1948) b) The “New Capital”
(1948 – 56) c) Growth of Institutions (1956 – 76) d)
Developments in Organised Sector (1976 Onwards) e) The
Present Bhubaneswar BMC – Bhubaneswar Municipal
Corporation BDPA – Bhubaneswar Development Plan Area
• OLD TOWN • The Old Town is characterized by mixed land-use which is a usual
phenomenon with all ancient towns and cities of India. It contains splendid
specimens of Kalinga architecture spanning some twenty-five centuries of
history, depicting the grace, the joy and the rhythm of life in all its wondrous
variety.
• • Bhubaneswar known as the “Temple Town” (Upto 1948), has a unique
position by virtue of the ability to seamlessly integrate its rich cultural heritage
with a strong regional economic base.
• • Founded during the Kalinga empire over 3,000 years ago, Bhubaneswar
today boasts of a cluster of magnificent temples, constituting a complete
record of Odisha temple architecture from its early beginnings to its
culmination.
• • The old city is featured by conglomeration of temples, monuments,
mandaps, heritage ponds etc. Initially, the old city had 1000 temples and at
present, the total temples are limited to 320.
• Old temple town It covers an area of 510 ha comprises of 4 villages • Kapil
prasad, • Bhubaneswar, • Goutam Nagar and • Rajarani.
• Why capital is shifted from Cuttack to Bhubaneswar ?• The
question of a new capital for Odisha was linked with the
Odias' movement for a separate province.
• Though Cuttack, the headquarters of Odisha Division was
the centre of all cultural and political activities, it was found
to be insufficient and congested for a provincial capital
because of its location between the Mahanadi and Kathjodi
rivers.
• • In 1933, the Odisha Administrative Committee
recommended the retention of the provincial capital of
Cuttack. After the creation of the separate province, for
various reasons, the question of an alternative capital site
was raised.
• In 1936, a team of experts, appointed by the Central Public
Works Department, which was headed by an engineer,
named F T Jones suggested Rangailunda, a place near
Berhampur town to be the site for the capital. • The post-
war reconstruction committee proposed Bhubaneswar as
the ideal site for capital because of its history, availability of
space and geographical propinquity to Cuttack. The Public
Works Department aslo reported in favour of Bhubaneswar
on 14 April 1945 : ".... expansion of Cuttack ...... does not
(appear) very promising ..... and it appears that going to
Bhubaneswar for further expansion may be the best
solution." Why capital is shifted from Cuttack to
Bhubaneswar ?
• NEW CAPITAL • On 13th April 1948, Bhubaneswar got back its status
when the foundation stone of the present capital township was laid by
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, after a gap of 1600 Years. The present old
temple town was formed and was confined to an area of 956 Ha. •
Later on Bhubaneswar was born as the new capital of Orissa in close
proximity of the old temple town, the Master Plan for the new
township was prepared by the famous architect Dr. Otto.
H.Koenigsberger in 1948 to shape the city in serving as an
administrative centre for the state, on the basis of the concept of
NEIGHBORHOOD UNIT PLANNING • The site for the New Capital was
selected after careful consideration. • It has the advantage of lying on
the border between the fertile delta land and the hilly forest areas of
Orissa.It has the natural advantage with regard to drainage. • The
ground slopes from west to east and is divided into two parts
intersected by the railway line. • The western part is high land with
laterite soil that permits the growth of forest and the eastern part is
low with alluvial soil suitable for agriculture. • The velocity of wind is
maximum in summer
• Koenigsberger’s design laid the city out in a linear pattern
with a central artery forming a main spine to which
neighborhood units were attached. It was designed for the
population 40,000. • Neighborhood units had all the major
amenities. Each unit was to house a population for 5,000-
6,000. • It had a clear social agenda in accordance to
Nehru’s Policies: neither cast nor socio-economic were to
exist and gender equality and education were to be
stressed. • By 1961, the population reached 40,000. The
plan was revised by Julius Vaz to accommodate eleven
neighborhood units instead of four units. • Nehru did not
want Bhubaneswar to become a “city of big buildings” . It
would accord with the idea of reducing differences between
rich and poor.
• PLANNING PRINCIPLES • Design of the New Capital is based on
the system of neighborhood units which means a group of
houses, large enough to afford the major amenities of urban life
like schools, dispensaries, shopping- centres, entertainment,
public libraries, etc. but at the same time small enough to keep all
these amenities in short distances, so that the main advantage of
rural life can be preserved. • To avoid boredom and uniformity
the neighborhood units are individually with the object of giving
it a distinct character. • In contrast to the Old Town, the land
under different uses are segregated from each other so that the
foul smell, smoke or dust of industry does not affect the
residential areas nor the crown and of a commercial area affect
the silence and solemnity of an administrative or educational
area. • An area of 231 acres has been allotted for an Industrial
Estate
• A ’Planned Capital City ‘ need to have • A unique local
identity and sense of place. • Clean natural environment,
including water and air. • Regular blocks divided in to
uniform plots. • Straight streets intersecting at right angles.
• Rectilinear plots according to predetermined units of
measurement *symmetrical layout/Grid Planning+. •
Administrative and Government offices planned to be in one
unit of space. • ‘Capital Complex’ consisting of Secretariat
,Legislative Assembly ,High court ,Raj Bhavan, MLA Quarters
, Ministers Quarters etc. • Commercial complex. • Open,
accessible, and well-kept public spaces and parks. •
Hospitals , schools , Open grounds for meetings etc. • Green
Belts and water bodies to be Eco friendly.
• 1. footpaths, 2. parkways, 3. cycle paths, 4. Arterial Road
(200ft. wide with 10ft. Wide foot-paths) 5. Major Unit Road
(150ft. Wide) 6. Major Housing Street (100ft. Wide) 7. Minor
Housing street (40ft. Wide) for seven groups of users for
seven different functions. • The overall widths of land
earmarked for roads and streets were not determined by
traffic alone but also by requirements for storm water
drainage services like overhead electric lines, telephone,
water and the need of adequate light and air to the
adjoining houses. • The overall width of land allotted for
road purposes was, therefore, dependent on the height of
houses on both sides. Koenigsberger suggested seven types
of roads –
• The capital town was planned in 1948 and was built
between 1948 and 1961 at a respectful distance from
the temple town with no conscious steps taken to
preserve the individual identities of each. • The city
grew fast and the intervening areas were filled up
quickly. Toady the “New Capital” presents a sharp
contrast with distinct areas earmarked for residential,
commercial, institutional and such other uses. FIRST
CAPITAL CITY PLAN
• During 1956-76 major administrative activities like
secretariat, heads of departments and similar
government offices came up in Bhubaneswar. The
salubrious climate, availability of suitable land attracted
a number of various state level and regional institutions.
Growth of institutions (1956 – 76)
• Constitution of the Bhubaneswar Regional
Improvement Trust (BRIT) in 1976 and subsequently the
Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) in 1983
and the role of institutional finance for mass housing in
the organized sector appears to be landmark in this
phase of city’s growth. The schemes like Housing Board
Colonies, BRIT Colonies, etc.. • In all such cases
economy of space and cost had influenced the structure
as well as their immediate environment. Shortage of
Government land and economy of scale contributed to
construction of multistoried flats Developments in
Organized Sector (1976 Onwards)
• The City Today • The city which was planned originally
for 40,000 people with an area of 1684 Ha of is now
accommodating about 7 lakhs people with an area of
about 135 sq km. • The shape of the present city has
assumed nearly a rectangular froms which shows the
signs of development of the town on a vast unutilized
undulating plateau. • The city has extended in seven
different directions during the last few decades by
engulfing the fringe villages. • This extension has got
varied length and dimensions from the core of the
original which has been supposed to lie at the temple
area.
• “Bhubaneswar today is a model of livability evident by
the city’s stable growth rate in the recent decades. It is
one of the few cities that has been able to successfully
capitalize upon its assets- be it the tangible and
intangible heritage (natural, built and people) or its
strategic location- into economic drivers that have
shaped the city’s growth in the recent decades.”
• Northern Hindu Style or Indo Aryan Style had
spread over at least three fourth part of northern
India.
• The earliest movement started in the state of
Orissa, (ancient Kalinga). It offered strong
resistance to Mauryas but finally subdued to
Ashoka in 260 B.C. After Ashoka’s death Kalinga
regained its independence and later became more
powerful under Kharavela.
• In AD 610 it was under king Sasanka but after his
death Harsha Conquered Orissa. The beginning of
this Orissa group is seen at Bhubaneswar where
there are about 30 temples.
• Most important are the temple of Jagannath at
Puri (1000 AD) built by Mahashivagupta Yayati II
and Sun Temple at Konark(1250 AD) built by
Narasinha I.
• The other groups are confined to some areas such
as Khajuraho all of which were built in a period of
hundred years from AD 950 to 1050 under
Chandella Rajput Rajas of Bundhelkand who ruled
from Mahoba.
• The largest of entire series is Shiva temple of
Kandariya Mahadev(1000AD) at Khajuraho.
Further the Northern Hindu Style was extended to
Rajputana, Gujarat and Deccan.
INDO- ARYAN Characteristic Features of Orissa
• The Orissa temple is remarkable for its plan and elevation. As a
rule, the interior ground plan of the temple is square the most
basic, rational and elementary of all geometric forms, used by
the Hindus.
• They adopted mainly trabeated style of construction. The
temples are distinguished by vertical offset projections called
“rathas” (on plan) or “pagas” (on elevation).

• Depending on the number of pagas, the temples are classified

into triratha, pancharatha, saptaratha and navaratha

• The main temple rests on high platform called “Pista”. The temple
is approached by an assembly hall, known as “Jaga-Mohan” – one
which pleases the world.
• The main temple is called as “Rekha Deul” because of its
emphasis on vertical lines.

• The Jaga-Mohan is also called as the “Pida Deul” since, it is

composed of Pidas.

• The deity is placed in the garba-griha of Rekha Deul over which

rises the spire or “Sikhara” The Hindus regarded the temple as
the body of Cosmic Man (Purusha).

• So the lower upright part of the main Deul is known as “Bada”

(feet) and the upper tapering part is known as “Chhapra” (trunk)
Over the Chhapra, is a large melon shaped feature called
“Amalaka” (cap stone) crowned with “Kalasa” (head) – called
“Amrit – Kalasa”, symboling the jar of Nectar.
• The other feature of this temple is that the pillars are notable for
their absence.
• The interior is plain, featureless but exterior walls are profusely
ornamented.
• Due to the religious ritual developments other buildings were
added in front, in one axial line such as “Bhog-Mandir” – offering
hall in the front, and followed by “Nat-Mandir” or Dancing Hall.
• Similarly the “Jaga-Mohan” has the lower upright part – the
“bada” and upper tapering part “Pida” in the form of terraced
pyramid which is crowned with “Ghanta-Kalasa” The temple is
now the abode of God as manifested in human shape.
LINGARAJA
TEMPLE
LINGARAJA TEMPLE
• INTRODUCTION
• LOCATION: Bhubaneshwar, Orissa
• BUILT BY: Jajati Keshari
• STYLE :Kalinga style
• BUILT IN: 11th century
• DEDICATED TO: Lord Shiva ARCHITECTURE STYLE: Kalinga
Architecture
• MATERIAL USED : Laterite stone TOTALAREA: 1049.66 sq m
 Lingaraj Temple -History
• The Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar, dedicated to Lord
Shiva, or Tribhuvaneswar represents the perfect harmony
between Orissa's architectural style and decorative
motifs.
• Lingaraj Temple is believed to be the oldest and largest
temple of Bhubaneshwar The temple of Lingaraja is
highly revered by the followers of Hinduism. It is more
than 1100 years old.
• Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, who is considered as
the destroyer as per the Hindu thoughts .
 HISTORY -Lingaraja temple

• The term 'Lingaraj' suggests 'the king of Lingas', where

'linga' is the phallic form of Lord Shiva The Shiva linga is
said to have emerged from the earth (Bhu) here and
hence it is called Bhubaneswar
• In the 11th century, when the king shifted his capital
from jaipur to bhubaneshwar, he started the construction
of lingaraj temple.
• The assembly hall (jagamohana), sanctum and temple
tower were built during the eleventh century, while the
hall of offering (bhoga- mandapa) was built during the
twelfth century.
 ARCHITECTURE- Lingaraja
temple
• One of the finest examples of purely hindu temple in
india".
• The lingaraja temple faces east and is built of sandstone
and laterite.
• The main entrance is located in the east, while there are
small entrances in the north and south.
• The temple is built in the deula style that has four
components namely, garbhagriha, jagamohana (assembly
hall), natamandira (festival hall) and bhoga-mandapa
(hall of offerings).
• The door in the gate of the entrance porch is made of
sandalwood.
• The most attractive feature of this temple is the great tower of
the Deul or Sri Mandir richly built entirely of stone.
• Its base measures 17m side but due to projecting faces it is not
square.
• The “Bada” or lower storey is vertical one-third of its height and
above, it has parabolic curve rising to a height of 38m from the
ground.
• Over it is a necking or beki above which rests the melon shaped
fluted disc or “amal-sila” and crowned with “kalasa”.
• The deep fluted ribs and miniature replicas of the Deul, add to
the verticality of the soaring sikhara which dominates over all the
65 temples.
• The outer surface is exuberantly carved with gods, goddesses,
nymphs.
•
• A Shiva Linga 3m high and 2.5m in diameter is installed in garba-
griha.

• The “Jagamohan” is 22m long and 17m wide, with its lower
storey “bada”, rising to a height of 10m and its “pida” a
pyramidal tower attaining a height of 30 from the ground
• The Nat mandir and Bhog mandir are of smaller sizes but are of
the same style.
• In the courtyard there are temples of Parvati, Ganesh, Kartikeya,
Balraj, Subhadra and Krishna.
• The outer surface is exuberantly carved with gods, goddesses,
nymphs. A Shiva Linga 3m high and 2.5m in diameter is installed
in garba-griha.

• The “Jagamohan” is 22m long and 17m wide, with its lower
storey “bada”, rising to a height of 10m and its “pida” a pyramidal
tower attaining a height of 30 from the ground.

• The Nat mandir and Bhog mandir are of smaller sizes but are of
the same style.

• In the courtyard there are temples of Parvati, Ganesh, Kartikeya,

Balraj, Subhadra and Krishna.
• One can enter the temple complex
through 'simha dwara' (the lion's
gate), where lions flank both the
sides, crushing elephants under
their feet.

• The exterior walls of the hall has

decorative sculptures of men and
beast
• The tower walls are sculpted with
female figures in different poses
• It is enshrined within a spacious compound wall of
laterite measuring 520 ft (160 m) by 465 ft (142 m).
• The wall is 7.5 ft (2.3 m) thick and surmounted by a plain
slant coping
• The bhogamandapa (hall of offering) measures 42 ft (13
m)* 42 ft (13 m) from the inside, 56.25 ft (17.15 m)*
56.25 ft (17.15 m) from the outside and has four doors in
each of the sides.
• The natamandira (festival hall) measures 38 ft (12 m)* 38
ft (12 m) from the inside, 50 ft (15 m)* 50 ft (15 m) from
the outside, has one main entrance and two side
entrances.
• The side walls of the hall has decorative sculptures
displaying women and couples.
• The jagamohana (assembly hall) measures 35 ft (11
m)*30 ft (9.1 m) from the inside, 55 ft (17 m)*50 ft (15
m) from the outside, entrances from south and north and
has a 30 metres (98 ft) tall roof.
• The tower is 55 m (180 ft) high and the complex has 150
smaller shrines.
• The hall of offering and assembly hall both has a
pyramidal roof made of up several horizontal layers
arranged in sets of two with intervening platform.
• It bears an inverted bell and a kalasa in the top.
• Festive hall has a flat roof sloping in stages. There are
thick pylons inside the hall.
• Erected in red sandstone, Lingraj Temple has the stone of the
darkest shade.
• All the shrines are safe under the kind fortification made by the
massive walls that are carved beautifully with sculptures.
• One can enter the temple complex through 'Simha Dwara' (the
Lion's Gate), where lions flank both the sides, crushing
elephants under their feet.
• An optical effect is produced with the deep cut warped lines that
run perpendicularly on the spire. Due to this, the temple looks
much larger than what actually it is.
• Moreover, the spire of the temple has diminutive replicas of
itself in the steeples that are incorporated perfectly in the entire
structure of the temple.
Sun temple , Konark
SUN TEMPLE -Konark
• INTRODUCTION
• Konark Sun Temple is build in 13th-century CE at konark in
odisha, india.
• Built by king narasimhadeva I of Eastern ganga dynasty
• The temple complex is in the shape of a gigantic chariot was
dedicated to the Sun God surya
• Konark sun temple is also known as black pagoda and it explains
the ample testament to the artistic glory of the time.
• It is located 35 km from puri and 65 km from bhubaneshwar.
• The temple was built on the mouths of the river chandrabhaga ,
but later the waterline receded.
• The temple was dedicated to the sun God Surya and the name
derived from sanskrit words “kona” (angle) and “Ark” (the sun).
• The Sun temple is situated on the north eastern corner of Puri
and is also known as Arka Khetra
• The ruins of thistemple were excavated in late 19th century.
The tower over the Garbagriha ismissing, however the
Jagmohana is intact, and even in this state, it is awe inspiring.
 History of the temple
• The temple was constructed during the period of Narasimhadeva
1 of the eastern ganga dynasty and the architect was Bisu
Maharana .
• The temple was built by 1200 workers over 12 years .During the
final stage of the temple bisu maharana and craftsmen felt
difficulty in completing the temple, then Darmapada the 12 year
old son of bisu maharana suggested a solution for the stability of
the temple.
• He placed a strong magnetic rod in the dome at the top , which
attracted the iron ore laden rocks and kept stable.
ARCHITECTURAL STYLE OF
KONARK
• Kalinga architecture
• The temple architecture of odisha corressponds
to a different catogory known as the kalinga
architecture
• In kalinga architecture the temple has two parts ,
deul (tower) and jagmohan ( hall).
• Three different typesof deul…Rekha deul , Pidha
deul , Khakhara deul.
 BUILDING MATERIAL
• It is constructed from
ferruginous
sandstone.
• Ferruminous
sandstone is derived
from marine or
freshwater . It occurs
worldwide .It is
brownish in colour.
• The temple complex is in the shape of a gigantic chariot of god
(surya), having elaborately carved wheels , pillars and walls.
• It is oriented towards the east so that the first rays of sunrise
strikes the principle entrance.

• It has 12 pairs of elaborately carved stone wheels pulled by a

set of seven horses , 4 on the right and 3 on the left .

• The wheels are 3m wide and it is elaborately carved .

• The wheels of the chariot act as sundials which can be used to

calculate the time very accurately.

• The plinth is decorated with fantastic reliefs of lions, muscians

and dancers and erotic groups.
SUN TEMPLE , KONARK PLAN
• Temple originally had a main sanctum (vimana)which is 229 feet tall .Due to
the weight of the superstructure and weak soil of the area , the main vimana
fell in 1837.

• The audience hall (jagmohan), 128 feet tall still stands .

• The sanctum and the nata mandir have lost their roofs.

• Towards the west of the temple , there are two ruined temples. One temple
is known as the mayadevi temple , which has mayadevi, wife of the sun god
, as diety . The mayadevi temple is dated back to 11th century older than the
main temple .

• The other temple belongs to an unknown vaishnava diety.

• The Konark temple is widely known not only for its architectural
grandeur but also for the intricacy and profusion of sculptural
work.
• The entire temple has been conceived as a chariot of the sun god
with 24 wheels, each about 10 feet in diameter, with a set of
spokes and elaborate carvings.
• Seven horses drag the temple. Two lions guard the entrance,
crushing elephants.
• The nata mandir in front of the Jagamohana is also intricately
carved. Around the base of the temple, and up the walls and roof,
are carvings in the erotic style.
• There are images of animals, foliage, men, warriors on horses and
other interesting patterns.
• There are three images of the Sun God, positioned to catch the
rays of the sun at dawn, noon and sunset
• Konarak had long been a center of sun worship, which is rare in
other parts of India.
• Even in its present ruinous and eroded state (next page) the
temple exudes grandeur in its size, its design concept, and in the
detail and excellence of its carving.
• Its enormous sanctuary tower collapsed in the 19th century; the
large pyramidal roof (38.4m, or 126ft) covers only the
temple's jagamohan, or entrance hall.
• The sanctuary tower was about twice as tall.
• The temple faces east (plan).
• It was conceived as the chariot of the sun god, Surya, carried
upon twelve pairs of wheels representing the months, and drawn
by seven horses representing the days of the week
SUN TEMPLE , KONARK ARUNA
STAMBHA
• The Aruna stambha (pillar) was
removed from the entrance of the
konark temple and placed at the
singha –dwara( lions gate ) of the
Jagannath temple in puri .
• The pillar is made up of monolithic
chlorite and it is 33 feet 8 inches
tall .
• The pillar is dedicated to Aruna ,
the charioteer of the sun god.
• The temple was declared as one
oft the world heritage site by
UNESCO in 1984