Temple Architecture: Odisha School

  • Followed the Kalinga style of architecture.
  • Basic Features 
    • The exterior walls were lavishly decorated with intricate carvings, but interior walls were plain. 
    • There was no usage of pillars in the porch but iron girders were used instead to support the roof. 
    • The shikhara in the Odisha school was known as rekha deul. They were almost vertical roofs which suddenly curved inwards sharply. 
    • The mandap was known as jagamohan in this region. 
    • The ground plan of the main temple was square. 
    • Temples were surrounded by a boundary wall as in Dravidian style of temple architecture.
Konark Sun Temple

  • Location – Coastline of Odisha in Puri district
  • Built by – King Narasimha Deva I of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty
  • Also called the Surya Devalaya, the temple is dedicated to the Hindu god Surya.
  • Architecture – Kalinga Architecture
  • It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984.
  • The temple, built from Khondalite rocks, is also known as ‘BLACK PAGODA’ due to its dark colour.
  • The temple remains a site of contemporary worship for Hindus, during the annual Chandrabhaga Festival, around the month of February.
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