Neha Patil (Editor)

Mahakala Mahakali Temple

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Country
  
India

Elevation
  
22 m (72 ft)

Architectural style
  
Kalinga architecture

State
  
Orissa

Date built
  
11th century A.D.

Locale
  
Bhubaneswar

Mahakala-Mahakali Temple httpsuploadwikimediaorgwikipediacommonsthu

Primary deity
  
lord Mahakala- Mahakali

Architectural styles
  
Kalingan Style (Kalinga Architecture)

Similar
  
Bharati Matha Temple, Siddhesvara Siva Temple, Papanasini Siva Temple, Uttaresvara Siva Temple, Madneswar Siva Temple

Mahakala-Mahakali Temple was built around 11th century A.D. and is located at Latitude of- 20 degree 14’ 26" N., Longitude of- 85 degree 50’ 05" E and Elevation of- 71 ft. It is situatedted beyond the eastern compound wall of Lingaraja temple on the right side of the temple road leading to Hatasahi, Old Town, Bhubaneswar. It is a shrine without a superstructure. The presiding deity is a Siva-lingam within a square yonipitha at a depth of 4.00 m below the present ground level. The shrine with stone walls is open to the sky. Close to the main deity is another small Siva lingam within another yonipitha which is known as Mahakali, while the central lingam is known as Mahakala. .According to the local tradition they are the parents of Lord Lingaraja.

Contents

Surrounding

The temple is surrounded by the eastern compound wall of Lingaraja temple on its western side at a distance of 6.00 m and Hatasahi road on its east.

Architectural features

The temple has no superstructure and the deities are 4.00 m below the present road level which is provided with flight of fifteen steps down to the sanctum.

Building techniques

It is made up of Sand stone by Dry masonry construction techniques.

Conservation problem and remedies

Since the shrine is 4.00 m down the precinct road level there is no outlet for discharge of offering water and the rain water directly entering into the shrine. In rainy season water stagnates inside the shrine, which is cleared manually. In the western side of the cella there are seven detached sculptures and architectural members which have been deeply weathered beaten and eroded. The sculptures are four armed Ganesa, two nayikas, four armed female deity,udyota simha, amlaka etc.

References

Mahakala-Mahakali Temple Wikipedia