Suvarna Garge (Editor)

Somabara Mandapa (Vishnu Temple)

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Country
  
India

Elevation
  
17 m (56 ft)

Architectural style
  
Kalinga architecture

Primary deity
  
Vishnu

State
  
Orissa

Date built
  
15th century AD

Locale
  
Bhubaneswar

Somabara Mandapa (Vishnu Temple)

Architectural styles
  
kalingan Kalinga Architecture

Vishnu Temple is located within the Kapilesvara temple precinct Kapilesvara village, Old Town, Bhubaneswar. It was built in the 15th century AD. The temple is facing towards east and the presiding deities of this temple are two Vishnu images, and the image of Jagannatha, Balabhadra, Subhadra and Buddha. The sanctum measures 2.10 square m. The temple is made of laterite stone. It is under the care of the Kapilesvara Temple Trust Board.

Contents

Cultural significance

Janmastami, Radhastami, Dola Purnima etc.

Surrounding

The temple is surrounded by Chitresvara temple on its east, Jalesvara temple on its west, compound wall on its southern side and Dakhina Kali temple on its northern side.

Architectural features (Plan and Elevation)

The temple stands on a high pista measuring 4.05 square m and a height of 1.17 m. On plan, the temple has a vimana and a frontal porch. The vimana is 3.35 square m. On elevation, the pidha temple has bada, gandi and mastaka. Bada is plain and measures 2.30 m, gandi with two tiers 1.50 m, mastaka 1.00 m. From pabhaga to mastaka the total height of the temple is 4.80 m.

Decorative features

Doorjambs: The doorjambs are plain. On both sides of the doorjambs there are two images of Vayu and Parvati. The image of Vayu on the right side of the doorjamb is seating over a deer in lalitasana. The image is wearing a Padmakundala sacred thread, necklace and crowned by kirita mukuta. Both right and left arms are broken. On the left is a four armed image of Parvati sitting over a lotus pedestal. The lion mount is there in the pedestal.

State of preservation

Good, due to the recent renovation. It was repaired by Orissa State Archaeology under X &XI Finance Commission Award and maintained by Kapilesvara Temple Trust Board.

References

Somabara Mandapa (Vishnu Temple) Wikipedia