Famous Temples in India

Architecture

This temple is east-facing temple built from sandstone. The temple has a Khakhara(Orissan) style of architecture with its semi-cylindrical Vimanas and beautiful and intricate scroll work. Much of the foliate and figurative ornamentation survives, including the wonderfully pierced stone windows in the Jagamohana and nagas entwined around pilasters. Of particular note also are the reliefs found on a single board that surrounds the whole Jagamohana just below the roof. Here are a variety of scenes, including the killing of a deer by Rama and Laxmana from the Ramayana, the abduction of Sita, the murder of Jatayu, the uprooting of seven palm trees, and the murder of Vali. With so many carvings display on the wall. The niche of the south wall houses Ganesha, while the niche of the west wall protects the image of Surya. The image of Surya, holding two lotus flowers and seated on a chariot, driven by seven tiny horses and a minute charioteer (Aruna).

Spreading over about 2 acres of land, Viewed from architectural point, the temple of Varahi in Chaurasi is the most beautiful monument in the Prachi Valley. This temple marks a significant deviation from the usual tradition of Rekha and the Bhadra type and exhibits a novel style which according to Orissan nomenclature is of Khakhara or Gaurichara variety. The ground plan of it somewhat resembles that of the Baitala Deula in Bhubaneswar, but while the plan of the latter admits of no regular ratha protection, this temple presents a pancharatha type both in plan and construction. The Vimana is rectangular in cross section and with its elongated vaulted roof and other architectural features it resembles more with the Gauri temple of Bhubaneswar than with the Vaital temple. The vase of the Vimana measures 18 ft by 22 ft and height of it is 27 ft. The Jagamohana which is also rectangular in shape like that of the Parsuramesvara is a pidha temple with seven distinct tires of pidhas. The walls of both the Vimana and Mohana are beautifully decorated with the figural and arabesque motifs and maintain a high order of balance and rhythm. The majestic moulding, designs and carvings of the entire temple are found in remarkable varieties and profusion not being overdone and accentuated the singular beauty and richness of the monuments in a manner that was hitherto unknown in the Prachi Valley.