Parsurameswar Temple, located in the East Indian city of Bhubaneshwar, the capital of Orissa, is considered the best preserved specimen of an early Orissan Hindu temple dated to the Sailodbhava period between the seventh and eighth centuries AD. The temple is dedicated to Hindu god Shiva and is one of the oldest existing temples in the state. The temple is believed to have been built during 650 AD in Nagara style and it has all the main features of the pre-10th century Orissan style temples. The temple is one among the Parasumeswar group of temples that are considered the oldest temples in Bhubaneswar.Parsurameswar temple has a vimana, the sanctum, and a bada, the curvilinear spire over its roof, raising up to a height of 40.25 ft (12.27 m). It is the first temple to have an additional structure called jagamohana, compared to the earlier temples that had only the vimana. Though the temple is a dedicated to Shiva, it contains sculpted images of Sakta deities, which are otherwise part of Sakta temples. The temple is the first among Bhubaneswar temples to have depiction of Saptamatrikas images, namely, Chamunda, Varahi, Indrani, Vaisnavi, Kaumari, Sivani and Brahmi. The temple, in modern times, is maintained and administered by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) as a ticketed monument. Parasurashtami is the major festival celebrated in the temple during June–July every year.

History

Parsurameswar temple is one the oldest existing temples in Bhubaneswar. The temple is the one of the Parasumeswar group of temples that are considered the oldest temples in Bhubaneswar. Parsurameswar temple is the first temple to have an additional structure called jagamohana (hall of worshipers) added its structure compared to the earlier temples that had only the vimana (sanctum). The carvings of the temple include a variety of fruits, flowers, birds and animals depicted in scenes and parts of designs. The floral design trailing from the tail of a bird is common between the temple and the ones in Vaital Deula, while the motif of vase and flowers is common between the temple and the ones in Mukteshwar Temple.
As per some historians, Parsurameswar temple is believed to have been built in the early 8th century A.D., following the initial set of Satruguneswar, Bharateswar and Lakshmaneswar temples of the late 7th century, but historian K.C.Panigrahi places the date as 650 A.D. Fergusson believes that the temple might have been initiated at around 500 A.D. The mid-seventh century date is agreed by most scholars based on style and the presence of the eight planets which appear over the door to the inner sanctum as the later temples are believed to have nine planets.Parsurmeswar temple was built by the Sailodbhavas, who had Shiva as their family deity. The Sailodbhavas also respected the Sakta elements of different gods and depicted Sakta images on the walls of the temple. The temple was repaired in 1903, with some changes in the roof of the inner sanctum, whilst retaining most of the original structure. Being located in the eastern coast, the temple, along with the other Orissan temples were not much affected by the Muslim invaders during the 12-13th centuries. In modern times, the temple is maintained and administered by the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) as a ticketed monument.

Architecture

The Orissan temples have two parts namely the sanctum, called deul or vimana and the other is place from wh ere pilgrims view the sanctum, called jagamohana. The initial deul temples were without the jagamohana as seen in some of the older temples in Bhubaneswar, while the later temples had two additional structures namely nata-mandapa (festival hall) and bhoga-mandapa (hall of offerings). The vimana is square in plan and the walls are mottled by portions (called rathas or pagas). The vimana has a curvilinear tower (called bada) in the form of a pyramid composed of horizontal planes. The vimana (sanctum) of the temple measures 9.875 ft (3.010 m)*9.75 ft (2.97 m) from the inside, 19.75 ft (6.02 m)*21 ft (6.4 m) from the outside and has a height of 40.25 ft (12.27 m). Amalaka (also called mastaka), a stone disk with ridges on the rim, is placed over the bada (tower) of the temple. The jagamohana is rectangular in shape and has a two element sloping roof with clerestory windows between them. The jagamohana (assembly hall) measures 24.9375 ft (7.6010 m)*18.33 ft (5.59 m) from the inside and 29.33 ft (8.94 m)*28.5833 ft (8.7122 m) from the outside. The latticed windows are classifed as pata jali where perforations are square or rectangular in shape. In addition, there are trellised windows having slabs of stone sculptures depicting dancers and musicians. Light enters the interior through doors and the latticed windows.

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