20/02/2019 Kalinga architecture - Wikipedia

Kalinga architecture
The Kaḷinga architectural style is a style of
Hindu architecture which flourished in the
ancient Kalinga region or present eastern Indian
state of Odisha, large parts of West Bengal and
northeastern Andhra Pradesh. The style consists
of three distinct types of temples: Rekha Deula,
Pidha Deula and Khakhara Deula. The former
two are associated with Vishnu, Surya and Shiva
temples while the third is mainly with
Chamunda and Durga temples. The Rekha
Deula and Khakhara Deula houses the sanctum
sanctorum while the Pidha Deula constitutes
outer dancing and offering halls.

In Kalinga, the ancient land of Sakta cult, divine

iconography existed since the mythological era.
Simplified schema of a Kalinga architecture temple
Present day research implies that idols (deities)
were placed under auspicious Trees in the
ancient days. And maybe today a Temple in general carries various minute
details and the overall shape of some heritage tree. The various aspects of a
typical Kalinga Temple include Architectural stipulations, Iconography,
historical connotations and honoring the traditions, customs and associated
legends.

Contents The Lingaraja Temple, a revered

pilgrimage center and the
Architecture culminating result of the
Selecting people architectural tradition at
Material selection Bhubaneswar, sixth century AD.
Site Selection
Naga Bāndhēṇi
Scale Model
Potā and piṭha (Mobile Foundation)
Bhunaksā (the ground plan)
Deuḷa (Temple of Odisha)
Classification
Footnotes
References

Architecture
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Selecting people
According to Manusmṛti there is a specific hierarchy of Command for the
management of people involved in they are classified as:

1. Kartā : The Chief patron of the temple, generally the king of the state is
designated as kartā. Hence these devotional ancient architectures often
reflect various socio-cultural aspects of society of the time.
2. Mukhya Sthapati : The Chief Architect, The master of the Shilpa Shastras,
Vastu Shastra, Dharma Shastra, Agni Purana and Mathematical
Calculations. Besides being a very knowledgeable person he is also a The Jagannath Temple, one of the
very pious man. He translates the Kartā's vision into an architectural four holiest places (Dhamas) of
design based on stipulations. Hinduism,[1] in the coastal town of
3. Sutra Grahaṇi : The Chief Engineer (can be equated) as he is the person Puri in Odisha.
who translates the architecture into actual geometrical dimensions. He is
equally proficient in all the required knowledge and most often is the son
of the Mukhya Sthapati.
4. Bārdhanikas : The masons, the stone setters
5. Takṣaka : The sculptor with hands that create poetry in stone does all the magnificent carvings and engravings of
various forms that has left us spell bound.
Besides these primary set of specialists, various supportive functions are carried out by other people.

Material selection
Primarily certain classes of stones are considered auspicious for the construction of Kalinga deula (temples). Shilpa
Chandrika, an ancient architecture book define some specific seven varieties of stone as ideal and specific types are used
for certain portions of the temple :

1. Sahaṇa
2. Chhita Sāhaṇa
3. Baḍa Pagaḍa
4. Dhobā Kuṇḍa
5. Rasa Chiṇḍa
6. Niḷa Kusāṇa
Though clay bricks have been used in very rare cases most Kalingan temples are built using these stones.

Site Selection
Various aspects like type of soil, shape of the Plot, location of the plot, availability and type of space and ground water
level, etc. are taken into consideration while selecting the site. Color, density, composition and moisture content of the soil
discriminates between the best, middle, sub-middle and worst kind of soil. Based on Vastu Shastra, a rectangular, square,
elliptical or circular plot of land is selected in order of preference.

Naga Bāndhēṇi
This is an intricate and ancient method in Shilpa Shastra, by which the temples direction and the auspicious moment for
beginning the sacred construction is determined. Like the present day Geomorphology, Seismology, Topology etc.,
probably this is some ancient science which guides the architect to understand natural forces and build stable massive
structures in Odisha.

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Scale Model
The Mukhya Sthaptya (Main Sculptor similar to Chief Architect) creates a scale model based on traditional stipulations
and takes the Karta's (producer / financier) approval. In many instances we see such depictions on walls and motifs.

Potā and piṭha (Mobile Foundation)

By observing conventional masonry and going through the following steps of the preparation of potā and piṭha the
foundation of a temple could be understood:

1. A square or rectangular area is dug out depending on the type and combination of temple proposed at the center of
the preselected Nāgabandhani plot of land.
2. The depth of this Potā is 1/3 of the height of the proposed temple, from plinth level.
3. The length and width of this Potā (pit) is always sufficiently broader than the diameter of the proposed temple.
4. Hard stone slabs are laid at the bottom to create a level.
5. Then with uniformly cut hard stones, the four walls of the Potā are erected and the outer perimeter space between the
pit wall and ground is properly filled with soil.
6. The Asṭadala Padma Chakaḍā (Eight lotus petal shaped), is then laid at the exact spot required. This is a square or
rectangular shape of hard uniform stone slab at the center of which an eight petaled lotus shape in exact geometric
proportions is engraved. The petals are aligned to the north, north-east, east, southeast, south, south-west, west and
north-west. The exact perpendicular line through the center of this Asṭadala Padma Chakaḍā determines the axis
(rekhā/meru) of the temple. The traditional method of such alignment is termed as Sanku.
7. Thereafter the Potā is properly packed up with large pieces of stone and soil, probably pressed down by elephants.
8. The Potā (pit) is leveled off at ground level with huge and thick cut theodolite stones.
9. Another layer of theodolite stones, corresponding to the shape and size of the ground plan called the piṭha is
constructed. This is the base of the temple. In many instances, we see this piṭha at various levels of elevation.

Bhunaksā (the ground plan)

Keeping the Sanku (the vertical axis through the center of Asṭadala Padma Chakaḍā) as the exact center of Garbhagruha,
the ground plan of the proposed temple is engraved by the Sthapati and Sutragrahaṇi with the help of a sharp edged
instrument, on the perfectly leveled Piṭha. As temples in every of their details depend on proportions, complex ancient
methods are used for correct geometric designing and executing the ground plan (bhunaksa) to ensure long term stability
and aesthetic appearance of these huge structures. Simplicity or intricacy of the temple is reflected in this ground plan.

Thereafter, the Bardhanikas set about precut stones, under the strict vigilance of Sutragrahaṇi as per the Bhunaksa, deula
gaddanni has started.

Deuḷa (Temple of Odisha)

Temple architecture in Odisha evolved over a long period of time. Stipulated architectural principles with ample provision
for artistic improvisation enabled the progressive generations. Temples in Odisha are based on certain fundamental
principles of stability and take their cue from the human body. The superstructure is basically divided into three parts, the
Bāḍa (Lower Limb), the Ganḍi (Body) and the Cuḷa/Mastaka (Head). Accordingly, each part is given a different treatment
throughout, from the architecture to the final ornamentation of the Temple.

Classification
Classification of deuḷa temples at Bhubaneswar, Puri & Konark

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Konark Sun Temple, one of the most well Baitala deula, a 9th-century Hindu
renowned temples in India, a World temple typical Khakara temple dedicated
Heritage Site. the tower has collapsed in to Goddess Chamunda, Bhubaneswar,
the past. Odisha.

Sculpture of Alasa Kanya at Baitala

Deula, Bhubaneswar

Rekhā deuḷa

Padma Garbha
Ratha Yukta
Meru Shaili

Examples of Rekha deuḷa are Lingaraja Temple (Bhubaneswar), Jagannath Temple (Puri)

Piḍha deuḷa

Dwichallia Pidhha
Nahachallia Pidhha
Kathachalia Pidhha
Ghantashree Mohana
Pidhha Mohana
Naddu Mohana

Example: Konark temple, Konark

Baitaḷa /Khakarā deuḷa

Example: Baitala deula, Bhubaneswar

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Varahi Deula, Chaurasi

Durga Temple, Baideshwar

Footnotes
1. http://www.odissi.com/orissa/jagannath.htm

References
Durga Charan Panda, Kalinga Mandira Sthapatya (In Oriya)
Kalinga Temples Architecture (http://www.heritageorissa.com/Temple/Kalinga%20Temples(Deula).htm)
Temple Architecture (http://www.orissaculture.gov.in/Architecture.asp)

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