User:Srcximb/Gosagaresvar Precinct Siva Temple – I

Location
Lat. 20 14’ 71" N., Long. 85 49’ 96"E., Elev. 67 ft

Address & Approach
The temple is located within the Gosagaresvara precinct. The presiding deity is a Siva lingam within a circular yonipitha inside the sanctum.

Tradition and legends
According to the local legend once Lord Siva killed a calf inadvertently. In order to cleanse the sin of killing the calf he had to take a bath in the Gosagaresvara pond and worship the lord Gosagaresvara. In keeping with the tradition even today people suffering from the sin of killing cows, take ritual bath in the tank and worship Gosagaresvara to cleanse the sin.

Single/ Multiple:
Multiple

Public/ Private:
Private

Any other:
Nalinikanta Panda and Tutu Panda are now taking care of this temple.

Name:
Mahendra Mohapatra and Bhaga Garabadu are the Priests of the temple.

Address:
Godipokhari Sahi, Old Town, Bhubaneswar.

Approximate date:
13-14 Century A.D.

Source of Information:
Architectural features

Precinct/ Building/ Structure/Landscape/Site/Tank:
Precinct.

Subtype:
Temple.

Typology:
Pidha deul.

Property use
i) Abandoned/ in use: In use. ii) Present use: Living temple.

7. Significance i) Cultural significance: Various Hindu sacraments like Sivaratri, Astaprahari, and Sankranti etc.are observed. iii) Social significance: Marriage ceremony, thread ceremony and public meetings are held here.

i>Surrounding:
The temple is surrounded by Gosagaresvara tank in west, Sanisvara Siva temple in south and Gosagaresvara temple in north.

ii) Orientation:
The temple is facing towards east.

iii) Architectural features(Plan and Elevation):
The temple stands on a low pista measuring 2.70 m in length and 2.30 m in width with a height of 0.40 m. On plan, the temple has a vimana and a frontal porch measuring 2.35 m in length x 2.15 m in width. It is pancharatha on plan as distinguished by a central raha and a pair of anuratha pagas and kanika pagas on the either sides of raha. On elevation, vimana is in pidha order that measures 3.36 m in height from pabhaga to kalasa. From bottom to the top, the temple has bada, gandi and mastaka. With threefold divisions the temple has a trianga bada measuring 1.36 m. At the bottom the pabhaga measures 0.48 m, jangha measures 0.64 m and baranda measures 0.24 m. The gandi above the baranda measures 1.10 m in height. The mastaka as usual in Orissa temples has components like beki, ghanta, khapuri, amalaka and kalasa measuring 0.90 m in height.

iv) Decorative features:-
— Door Jambs: The doorjamb measures 1.40 m in height and 0.64 m in width is a recent addition. Lintel: Due to the renovation work the graha architrave is plain.

v) Building material:
Sand stone. .

vi) Construction techniques
Dry masonry

Condition Description:
Repairs and Maintenance: The temple was repaired by Orissa State Archaeology under X and XI Finance Commission Award and at present local people of Gosagaresvara chowk is taking care of the temple complex.

Grade (A/B/C)
i) Architecture: B ii) Historic: C iii) Associational: C iv) Social/Cultural:B

Threats to the property
Conservation Problem and Remedies: Growth of lichens on the outer walls of the temple.

References:
1. Lesser Known Monuments of Bhubaneswar by Dr. Sadasiba Pradhan (ISBN: 81-7375-164-1).

Date of Documentation

 * 24.08.2006

'Documenter
': Dr. Sadasiba Pradhan and team