SOMNATH
Somnath Temple of Jatni can be reached from Bhubaneswar through Old town, Kapileswar area through to Jatni and then straight left. Also, one can visit the temple turning right from Jatni Chowk towards Pipli from Jatni on the Bhubaneswar-Puri Highway.
Built in 13th century, the temple is an excellent example in Kalingan Architecture. The different sculptors made this temple. Legends have it that the temple can be dated back to the time of the making of Konarka Sun temple. It is of the same era. A common story has it that sculptors of the nearby areas of Athagarh, Bolagarh, Mundala, Niranjanpur, Harirajpur and Belapada were invited by King Langula Narasingha Dev to build the Sun Temple at Konark. Those days there were no roads, no means of transport except a handful of bullock carts and people had to travel on foot. The King had thus made some arrangements, resting points where breakfast, lunch and dinner would be served for the sculptors at intervals along the journey. These places were earmarked as breakfast points and ‘chuda’ was served as breakfast. Here they found the deity worshiped in the open by villagers as Kharakhia Somnath and later the place was earmarked by the King for a ‘chuda’ breakfast these people named the deity Chudakhia Somnath. Before starting the journey to Konarka next day they prayed to Lord Somnath and vowed that if everything went off well in the making of the Sun Temple they would build a temple on the spot on the way back. The King was happy with the work and wished to award the sculptors. Instead of taking the reward they requested the King to help them build the Somnath temple and the King eagerly agreed to help.
Somnath Temple of Jatni can be reached from Bhubaneswar through Old town, Kapileswar area through to Jatni and then straight left. Also, one can visit the temple turning right from Jatni Chowk towards Pipli from Jatni on the Bhubaneswar-Puri Highway.
Built in 13th century, the temple is an excellent example in Kalingan Architecture. The different sculptors made this temple. Legends have it that the temple can be dated back to the time of the making of Konarka Sun temple. It is of the same era. A common story has it that sculptors of the nearby areas of Athagarh, Bolagarh, Mundala, Niranjanpur, Harirajpur and Belapada were invited by King Langula Narasingha Dev to build the Sun Temple at Konark. Those days there were no roads, no means of transport except a handful of bullock carts and people had to travel on foot. The King had thus made some arrangements, resting points where breakfast, lunch and dinner would be served for the sculptors at intervals along the journey. These places were earmarked as breakfast points and ‘chuda’ was served as breakfast. Here they found the deity worshiped in the open by villagers as Kharakhia Somnath and later the place was earmarked by the King for a ‘chuda’ breakfast these people named the deity Chudakhia Somnath. Before starting the journey to Konarka next day they prayed to Lord Somnath and vowed that if everything went off well in the making of the Sun Temple they would build a temple on the spot on the way back. The King was happy with the work and wished to award the sculptors. Instead of taking the reward they requested the King to help them build the Somnath temple and the King eagerly agreed to help.
Statue of Lord Buddha in front of temple.
The temple is very rich in the presentation of Kalingan Architecture. Lots of images are there which can have similarities with the great Konarka.
Lord Ganesha as Parshvadevta
Lord Kartikeya as Parshvadevta
Goddess Parvati as Parshvadevi
Images on the wall
Images on the wall
Images on the wall
Window of the temple
Image on the wall
Image on the wall
Image on the wall
Image on the wall
Image on the wall
Image on the wall
Window of the temple
Image on the wall
The lower portion of temple is now somehow modified but still it represent the past glory of Kalingan Era. Still wonder what kind of technology they had with them. In modern world with latest technology, we can't make such kind of artistic carvings.
Lower portion of temple
Lower portion of temple
Lower portion of temple
Lower portion of temple
Lower portion of temple
Lower portion of temple
A beautiful mandap in the temple
A beautiful pond is there which is a very common in Kalingan Temples, with natural scenery.
Not to forget, erotic carvings, which also were very common in Kalingan temples , are still present in very large numbers. Although they are in dilapidated conditions.
The temple and the carvings are made of Baulamala stones. There are small openings on each side of the temple floor known as wish chambers where people gather to offer sacrifices and pray for the fulfilment of their wishes. The temple and the carvings are made of Baulamala stones. The ‘Dadhinauti’ or the ‘Chula’ of the temple is made of one stone which people believe was transported to the top by filling sand unlike in the construction of Konark Temple. Over the years, sculpture smugglers have stolen many carvings and have destroyed many others. Some of the figures have also been destroyed by Kalapahada, the destroyer appointed by the Mughal rulers. Every day the deities are offered khechudi and dalma bhoga but the favourite offerings are chudaghasa and dalma. All the Shaiva festivals like Mahashivaratri, Ashokasthami, Champaka Dwadasi and Sitalsasthi are celebrated by people with considerable fanfare.
Ref: http://www.orissapost.com/sublime-sculpture-in-disrepair/
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