HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE

EAST & NORTH EAST INDIA

NORTH EAST INDIA

The Varman dynasty ruled Kamarupa (Assam) from 350 to 650. Pushyavarman the first historical ruler[2] of Assam established this dynasty in c350 AD. This dynasty is sometimes called the Naraka or Bhauma dynasty since it traces its lineage to the mythical Narakasura, Bhagadatta and Vajradatta

Pala Empire was a Buddhist dynasty that ruled from the north-eastern region of the Indian subcontinent. The name Pala means protector and was used as an ending to the names of all Pala monarchs. The Palas were followers of theMahayana and Tantric schools of Buddhism. Gopala was the first ruler from the dynasty. The empire reached its peak under Dharmapala and Devapala. Dharmapala extended the empire into the northern parts of the Indian Subcontinent. This triggered once again the power struggle for the control of the subcontinent. Devapala, successor of Dharmapala, expanded the empire to cover much of South Asia and beyond.

The Mlechchha dynasty (c. 650 - 900) ruled Kamarupa from their capital at Hadapeshvar in the present-day Tezpur, Assam, after the fall of the Varman dynasty.

The Eastern Ganga dynasty reigned from Kalinga and their rule consisted of the whole of the modern day Indian state of Orissa as well as parts of West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh from the 11th century to the early 15th century. Their capital was known by the name Kalinganagar, which is the modern Srimukhalingam in Srikakulam District of Andhra Pradesh bordering Orissa. Today, they are most remembered as the builders of the Konark Sun Temple an UNESCO World Heritage site at Konark, Orissa.

EAST INDIA

NORTHERN OR INDO ARYAN STYLE

EARLY PERIOD(750-900 AD)
PARASURAMESHWAR TEMPLE VAITAL DEUL

MIDDLE PERIOD(900-1100 AD)

LINGARAJA TEMPLE
JAGANNATH TEMPLE

LATER PERIOD(1100- AD)

SUN TEMPLE RAJARANI TEMPLE

The temples of Orissa exhibit a majestic grandeur. An Orissan temple (deul) usually consists of a sanctum, one or several front porches (jagamohana) usually with pyramidal roofs, a dancing hall (nata mandir) and a hall of offerings (bhog mandir).

PARSURAMESWAR TEMPLE:
Parsurameswar Temple, located in Bhubaneshwar, Orissa, India, is the best preserved specimen of an early Hindu temple datable to the Sailodbhava period of the seventh and eighth centuries AD and is the finest testimonial to the architectural work of Vishwakarma Moharana sculptors. Parsurameswar is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is one of the oldest temples in Orissa. This temple, built about 650 AD, has all the main features of the pre-10th century Orissan style of architecture. Such elements such as the pine spire that curves up to a point over the sanctum housing the presiding deity, and the pyramid-covered hall where people sit and pray. Though small in size, with its deul rising abruptly to a height of 12.80m, it is one of the most sumptuously decorated temples of the early period. It is the only temple of the early period with a surviving Jagamohana

The grotesque figures of vetalas (ghosts) on the pilasters of its jaga mohan and on the faces of its vimana are true to their traditional description. The figures of nagas(male serpant) and nagins(female serpant) and other females show many graceful but chaste poses. Journey on pilgrimage is the theme of many a scene on its vimana. Among other descriptive representations on it is the hunting scene above the central niche on south, where stag upon stag a bow thrown in is shown in the act of running away from bowman. On the outermost frame around the latticed window of its jaganamohana are carved the well known delightful scenes of monkeys playing all manners of pranks. The temple shows architectural peculiarities of the early order providing an opportunity to study the early form of the Jagamohana. Temple has no proper plinth, faces west and comprises a Vimana and Jagamohana.

The vimana of the temple is a triratha with a distant semblance of a Pancharatha as evident from the projecting nichesflanking the central projection. The bada of the Vimana abruptly starts from the Talapatna or Pavement which consists of three elements only instead of the usual five and encloses not the usual cubic garbhagriha but one that is parallelopiped.

The temple is ornamented with a bas-relief of processions of horses and elephant. Latticework covers the windows. In the temple courtyard there are more exotic carvings of Ganesha , the elephant God, and other deities. On a corner of the temple compound is the exotically unique "Lingam of one thousand Lingas" shiva phallic symbol with 1,000 lingas engraved on it.

Sculptural Arrangement The sculptures of Parasuramesvar temple have an elegance and chastness rarely to be seen in purely Orissan style. The temple is not so elaborately carved but the sculptures with the balanced arrangement have a charm and dignity of their own.

KONARK SUN TEMPLE:

Konark Sun Temple is a 13th century Sun Temple (also known as the Black Pagoda), at Konark,Orissa. The name Konark is derived from the Sanskrit word Kona (meaning angle) and word Arka (meaning sun) in reference to the temple which was dedicated to the Sun god Surya It was constructed from oxidized and weathered ferruginous sandstone by King Narsimhadeva I (1238-1250 CE) of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty.

The Konark temple is widely known not only for its architectural grandeur but also for the intricacy and profusion of sculptural work. Famous as much for its imposing dimensions and faultless proportions .
The Sun temple belongs to the Kalinga school of Indian Temple Architecture.
The entire temple has been conceived as a chariot of the sun god with 24 wheels, each about 10 feet in diameter, with a set of spokes and elaborate carvings.. The spokes of the wheels serve as sundials and the shadows cast by these can give the precise time of the day . Seven horses drag the temple. The entrance is guarded by two giant lions, which are each shown crushing a war elephant. Each elephant in turn lies on top of a human body.

A flight of steps lead to the main entrance.

The pyramidal roof soars over 30 m (98 ft) in height.

The temple complex also contains erotic sculptures similar to the temple in Khajuraho . Around the base of the temple, and up the walls and roof, are carvings in the erotic style. The Temple compound measures 857 ft (261 m) by 540 ft (160 m). The alignment of the Sun Temple is on the East-West direction. The Main Sanctum which (229 ft. high) was constructed along with the Audience Hall (128 ft. high) having elaborate external projections. The Main Sanctum which enshrined the presiding deity has fallen off. At the entrance of the temple is a NataMandir. This is where the temple dancers used to perform dances in homage to the Sun God.The NataMandir in front of the Jagamohana is also intricately carved.

The Audience Hall survives in its entirety, but only small portions of the Dancing Hall (NataMandir) and the Dining Hall (Bhoga-Mandap) have survived the vagaries of time. There are images of animals, foliage, men, warriors on horses and other interesting patterns. There are three images of the Sun God, positioned to catch the rays of the sun at dawn, noon and sunset.

The large structure seen today is actually the mantapa(mandap). Of the main tower, which once stood in the front, only the remains can be seen. This tower (deul) was perhaps 200 feet (60 metres) tall, higher than any other temple in India.

LINGARAJA TEMPLE:
Lingaraja Temple is a 11th century CE Temple dedicated to Harihara, another name for Shiva and is one of the oldest temples of Bhuvaneswar, a revered pilgrimage center and the capital of the state of Orissa,India. Architectural styles : Kalingan Architecture. At 55 metres high, it dominates the landscape with 150 smaller shrines in its pacious courtyard and is surrounded by massive walls lavishly decorated with beautiful sculptures. Temple complex This temple has actually four parts: the main temple, the YajnaShala, the BhogaMandap and finally the NatyaShala. This temple has images of both Shiva and Vishnu. Vishnu is actually present as Sila. The Shiva idols surround the Vishnu idol.

 Even the temple on the top has neither Shiva's Trishula nor Vishnu's Chakram. It has only Rama's arrow symbol, probably because Rama was a worshipper of Shiva.
The 'nata mandapa' (dance hall) and 'bhoga mandapa' (offering hall) were later added to the temple. This temple was built at a time when the Jagannath cult was at its peak. By the time Ligaraja temple was built, the Jagannath cult has gained immense popularity all over India. This is exemplified by the fact, that Swayambhu Linga half vishnu, half shiva, is the presiding diety here. There is an element of harmony within religion here as is evident by the presence of all Hindu gods and goddesses.

One of the noticeable features of the Lingaraj temple is its degrading architectural beauty, as one retreats from the deul (the Sanctum Sanctorum), away towards the bhogamandir (the hall of offerings). This is so, because the Lingaraja temple was built by the rulers of three dynasties, over a huge span of time. The deul was built by the prosperous Kesari dyanasty. The Muslim invasion, after that, left the Ganga dynasty in a position, that they built the bhogamandir at the cost of its architectural beauty.

Temple dome

A sculpture from one of the Shikara.

JAGANNATH TEMPLE:
The Jagannath Temple in Puri is a famous Hindu temple dedicated to Jagannath and located in the coastal town of Puri in the state of Orissa, India. The name Jagannath (Lord of the Universe) is a combination of the Sanskrit words Jagat (Universe) and Nath (Lord of). History: The temple was originally built by the Kalinga ruler Anantavarman Chodaganga (1078 - 1148 CE). Much of the present structure was built by King Ananga Bhima Deva in the year 1174 CE. It took 14 years to complete and was consecrated in 1198 CE. It is believed that the image of Jagannath was buried thrice in the Chilka lake for protection from invaders. Established in the 12th century, the temple is dedicated to Lord Jagannath (Lord Krishna), Lord of the Universe.

The Temple: The walls are embellished with exquisite carvings. The pillars that provide support to the temple are adorned with pictures depicting the life of Lord Krishna. The vast temple complex occupies an area of over 400000 square feet, and is bounded by a 20 feet high fortified wall. This complex contains about 120 temples and shrines. The shikhara of the Jagannath temple towers to a height of 192 feet. Structurally the temple has four chambers. The outermost is the Bhogmandir, the next is the Nata-mandir pillared hall for music and dance, the next is the Jagamohana or the mandapa where devotees gather for worship and the last is the sanctum or the Deul enshrining the deities.

Rajarani Temple is an 11th century Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Siva located in Bhubaneswar, the capital city of Orissa, India. Originally it was known as Indreswara and serves as a shrine to Shiva. It is known as 'love temple,covered with coyly erotic carvings of women and couples. The temple is aesthetically endearing with its graceful sculptures.

RAJARANI TEMPLE:

It is made from the wonderful red and gold sandstone, which is locally known as Rajarani and this is what gives the temple its name of 'Raja Rani'.
Another attraction of this temple is the carvings of the eight dikpalas (temple guards), who protect the temple from the different directions. They are Indra (east) the head of the demigods, Agni (southeast) god of fire, Yamaraja (south) god of death, Nirritti (southwest), Varuna (west) god of water, Vayu (northwest) god of air, Kubera (north) god of wealth, and Isana (northeast).

Rajarani Temple stands on a raised platform. Its spire is decorated with clusters of turrets (replication of the spire itself) emerging form the rib of the spire. The sculptures have a depth that was lacking in the Mukteswara Temple sculptures. The Jagamohana (porch) though demonstrating a pyramidal structure is yet to take on as a complete structure of its own. The slightly projected entrance is flanked by round thick columns entwined by naga on the left. The 18m(55 ft) vimana (tower) is clustered by miniature towers with double crowning elements and appears round, like the towers of Khajuraho temples. The flat ribbed crowning amalaka and kalasa on the tower are surrounded by four squatting figures.

It is an epitome of elegance and grace. The sculptural images adorning its faade and interiors are simply outstanding. Females are portrayed in different postures, like holding the child in their arms, holding mirror in their hand, etc.

VAITALA DEULA:
Vaitaa deua or Baitala deua is a 9th century Hindu temple typical Khakara temple dedicated to Goddess Chamunda located in Bhubaneswar, the capital city of Orissa, India. This is also locally known as "Tini Mundia Mandira". Architecture Baitaa Deua Temples striking feature is the shape of its sanctuary tower. The semi-cylindrical shape of its roof is a leading example of Khakhara order of temples which bears an affinity to the Dravidian Gopuram of the South Indian temples. Its gabbled towers with a row of Sikharas reveals unmistakable signs of southern intrusion.

The plan of the deua is oblong and the Jaga mohan is a rectangular structure, but embedded in each angle is a small subsidiary shrine. The outer walls are encrusted with panels of Hindu deities, mostly Shiva and his consort Parvati in her Shakti form, hunting processions, capturing of wild elephants and the occasional erotic couples. The facade of the deua above the left of the Jagamohana is dominated by twoChaitya windows the lower one having a beautifully carved figure of Sun God (Surya) noted for its facial expression, with Usha (Dawn) and Pratyusha shooting arrows on either side and with Aruna in front, driving a chariot of seven horses. The medallion in the upper Chaitya window houses a 10-armed Nataraja or dancingShiva. In front of the flat roofed Jagamohana is a stone post relieved with two Buddha like figures seated in Dharma-Chakra-Pravartana mudra.