Subarnesvara Siva Temple

Subarnesvara Siva temple
Religion
Affiliation	Hinduism
Deity	lord lingaraja
Location
Location	Bhubaneswar
State	Orissa
Country	India
Location in Orissa
Geographic coordinates	20°14′27.92″N 85°50′14.12″E
Architecture
Type	Kalingan Style (Kalinga Architecture)
Elevation	22 m (72 ft)

Subarnesvara Siva temple is situated on the left bank of Lingaraja west canal, Bhubaneswar, Orissa, India, which can be approached through Kotitirthesvara lane leading from Parasuramesvar temple to Bindu sagar. It stands opposite Nagesvara across the Lingaraja west canal at a distance of 10.35 metres. The temple faces east. The enshrined deity is a Siva lingam within a circular yoni pitha in the sanctum measuring 2.35 square metres.

Name

The temple is so named because of its association with the goldsmiths in close vicinity.

Age

i) Precise date: 10th century AD.

ii) Approximate date: Somavamsi rule

iii) Source of Information: Architectural features and scheme of decoration including the building materials bears strong resemblance with the 10th century temples of Bhubaneswar.

Property Type

i) Precinct/ Building/ Structure/Landscape/Site/Tank-Buildings

ii) Subtype: Temple

iii) Typology: Rekha deul

Property use

i) Abandoned/ in use: In use

ii) Present use: Living temple

iii) Past use: Worshiped

Significance

i) Historic significance: The local tradition attributed the temple to the Kesharis, who are otherwise known as Somavamsis.

ii) Cultural significance: Various rituals performed are Sivaratri, Sankranti, and Chaturdasi.

Physical description

i) Surrounding: The temple is surrounded by the approaching road on the east, Lingaraja west canal and paddy fields in south, Nagesvara temple across the canal in the west and residential buildings in north.

ii) Orientation: The temple faces east.

Architectural features

The temple stands over a low pista measuring 6.90 metres in length, 6.30 metres in width and 0.23 metres in height. On plan, the temple is pancharatha with a square vimana and a frontal porch extending towards east. The vimana measures 5.45 square metres and the frontal porch 0.50 metres. On elevation, the temple is in rekha order measuring 11.58 metres in height from khura to kalasa with usual bada, gandi and mastaka. The bada measuring 3.48 metres in height has five vertical divisions namely pabhaga with four mouldings (0.92 metres), talajangha (0.86 metres), bandhana of single moulding (0.20 metres), upara jangha (0.75 metres) and the baranda with four mouldings (0.75 metres). The gandi above the baranda measuring 6.10 metres in height is distinguished by a central raha and a pair of anuratha and kanika pagas on either side of the raha, which is a curvilinear spire, and devoid of ornamentation. The mastaka as usual in Orissan temples has components like beki, amlaka, khapuri and kalasa that measures 2.00 metres in height.

Raha niche & Parsva devatas

The parsvadevata niches located on the raha paga of the talajangha on three sides of north, west and south measures 1.00 metres in height, 0.53 metres in width and 0.38 metres in depth are empty and devoid of ornamentation

Decorative features

The base of the gandi is decorated with a series of miniature rekha deul as angasikharas on the pagas arranged in descending order from raha to the kanika paga. The baranda moudings above the raha niche are relieved by chaitya motifs. Both the upara and tala jangha are decorated with a series of pilaster motifs in relief udyota simha finds place on the raha paga of the eastern wall doorjamb, except the dvarapala niches at the base the doorjamb are of recent additions made of plain sand stones. The doorjambs measure 2.20 metres in height and 1.60 metres in width. The dvarapala niches house Saivite dvarapalas holding trident in their left hand along with river goddess standing on their respective mounts. Yamuna in the right niche is provided with a parasol held by a diminutive female attendant. While the niches are crowned by stylized chaitya motifs at the top, beneath are figures of gaja kranta Lintel- The architrave above the doorjambs measuring 1.80 metres. is carved with navagrahas, each housed in a niche. They are all seated in padmasana except Rahu and Ketu. The grahas are flanked by two atlantid ganas on both ends of the architrave.

State of preservation

i) Good/Fair/ Showing Signs of Deterioration/Advanced: Cracks are noticed in the ceiling of the sanctum through which water percolates into the cella.

Condition description

i) Signs of distress: Cracks on the roof and outer wall of the temple.

ii) Structural problem: —-

iii) Repair & maintenance Repaired under X & XI Finance Commission Award

Threats to the property

Conservation problem and remedies: Since the sanctum (cella) is 1.20 metres below the present ground level, there is seepage of water from the adjoining west canal during rainy season. When the canal overflows such underground water stagnates inside the cellar that is weakening the foundation of the temple.

Detached and loose sculptures: There is a Sahasra Lingam in the south-eastern corner of the temple. The other fragments are an amlaka, octagonal Lingam and ornamental block of stone with the image of a female presently worshipped as goddess Tarini

See also

• List of temples in Bhubaneswar

Further reading

• Lesser Known Monuments of Bhubaneswar by Dr. Sadasiba Pradhan (ISBN 81-7375-164-1)
• http://wikimapia.org/12002188/Subaneswar-Shiv-Temple-by-Srikant-Sahoo-Sirapur-Pranabandhu-Sahoo