Nilakantha Siva Temple

Location

Lat- 200 14’ 06"N, Long- 850 50’ 00"E, Elev 85 ft.

Any other (specify)

The precinct in which the temple is located is a private plot of Babulal Makaddam Badu Mohapatra, who is staying in the north-western corner of the temple precinct. Hence it is a private property.

Approximate date

11th century A.D.

Source of Information

Architectural features and graha slab.

Typology

The Vimana is of rekha deul whereas Jagamohana is inpidha deul.

Abandoned/ in use

In use

Present use

Living temple.

Past use

Worshipped.

Cultural significance

The Saivite rituals like Sivaratri, Sankranti are celebrated here.

Surrounding

The temple is surrounded by a compound wall. The other temples within the precinct are Markandesvara and Somesvara in south, Samesvar building in west.

Orientation

The temple is facing towards west.

Architectural features (Plan and Elevation)

On plan, the temple has a vimana and a jagamohana. Both Vimana and Jagamohana are square on plan measuring 4.00 square metres and 5.32 square metres respectively. The ganthiala measures 0.47 metres. The cella measures 1.85 square metres. The vimana is pancharatha with a central raha and a pairs of anuratha and kanika pagas on either side of the raha. On elevation, the vimana is of rekha order with usual bada, gandi and mastaka that measures 8.64 metres in height from pabhaga to kalasha. The Jagamohana is of pidha order that measures 6.14 metres in height from bottom to the top. The bada of both vimana and Jagamohana is panchanga measuring 2.64 metres and 2.04 metres in height respectively. The pabhaga of the vimana measures 0.66 metres, talajangha and upara jangha measures 0.47 metres and 0.47 metres each divided by a bandhana measuring 0.28 metres. The baranda measures 0.76 metres. The gandi and mastaka measures 4.00 metres and 2.00 metres in height respectively. The pabhaga, talajangha, bandhana, upara jangha and baranda of the Jagamohana measures 0.47 metres, 0.42 metres, 0.20 metres, 0.46 metres and 0.49 metres in height respectively. The gandi measures 2.50 metres and mastaka 1.60 metres. The gandi has five receding tiers.

Raha niche and parsva devatas

As usual the Parsvadevata niches are located on the raha paga of the talajangha on the three sides of east, north and south that measures 0.66 metres in height x 0.38 metres in width X 0.19 metres in depth. While the eastern and northern raha niches enshrine four armed Kartikeya and four armed Parvati. The southern niche is empty. Kartikeya standing over a lotus pedestal in tribhanga pose is holding a spear in his upper right hand, his lower right hand is broken, left two hands are resting over the cock which is resting over the right hand of the female attendant on the left side. Kartikeya has a jatamukuta and his mount peacock is broken. Parvati standing over a lotus padestal is holding a spear in her lower left and a nagapasa in lower right hand. Her upper left and right hands are broken. There is a female attendant on the right side of the pedestal.

Decorative features

Due to the cement plaster all over the structure the decorative programme is concealed.

Door Jambs

The doorjambs of the temple (vimana and jagamohana) measures 1.67 metres in height X 1.20 metres in width. It is decorated with scroll works like patra sakha, lata sakha and puspa sakha from exterior to interior and vice versa. Each sakha measures 0.08 metres in breadth. At the base of the doorjamb Saivite dvarapalas are housed in khakhara mundi niche that measures 0.18 metres in height X 0.8 metres in width. They holds trident in their left hand and right hand is in varada mudra.

Lintel

The lintel measures 1.20 metres and in the lalatabimba Gajalaxmi is seated in lalitasana. Above the doorjambs is a graha architrave carved with the traditional navagrahas with the iconography of the mature phase.

Building material

Laterite.

Construction techniques

Dry masonry

Style

Kalingan

Good/Fair/ Showing Signs of Deterioration/Advanced

Good, except for the growth of vegetation and wild grasses in all around the temple.

Repairs and Maintenance

The temple was repaired by Orissa State Archaeology under X and XI Finance Commission Award.

Grade (A/B/C)

i) Architecture: B ii) Historic: C iii) Associational: C iv) Social/Cultural: B v) Others: —

Threats to the property

Conservation Problem and Remedies: No immediate threat except the vegetation

Detached Sculptures

Two detached Siva ganas are there near the eastern wall of the temple. They are four armed and with jatamukuta. They hold tridents in their lower left, dambaru in lower right, abhaya mudra in upper left and upper right hand in varada mudra. There is also a broken monolithic Naga pillar near these images. It measured 1.40 metres in height with the thickness 0.60 metres.

Date of Documentation

09.09.2006

Documenter

Dr. Sadasiba Pradhan and team