Bhubaneswar, also known as the ‘Temple City of India’ has various temples panning across the mainland but one notable amongst all of these is the
Rajarani Temple, Bhubaneshwar is supposed to be built sometime between 11th-12th centuries and is best known for its architectural beauty. The name Rajarani comes itself from the name of the stone it is built of. This temple is a perfect example of divine craftsmanship that has been put into reality on the dull-red, yellow stone. The beautiful cravings of women and couples on the walls and exteriors of the temple have credited it the name of the “Love Temple”, originally known as Indreswara left me awestruck.
Rajarani Temple . On enquiring more, i found out that this temple is believed to be built around the same time as that of Jagannath Temple at Puri and has a unique ambience. The exterior design of the Rajarani Temple is one of its kind and too erotic for any temple in India. The primary deity worshipped here is Lord Shiva and thus the exteriors have the Lord Nataraja, Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati and the nayikas.Rajarani Temple, Bhubaneshwar is supposed to be built sometime between 11th-12th centuries and is best known for its architectural beauty. The name Rajarani comes itself from the name of the stone it is built of. This temple is a perfect example of divine craftsmanship that has been put into reality on the dull-red, yellow stone. The beautiful cravings of women and couples on the walls and exteriors of the temple have credited it the name of the “Love Temple”, originally known as Indreswara left me awestruck.
The temple is built on a raised platform and follows the pnahcratha style. The roof is pyramidal in shape and has a curvilinear spire known as bada with sanctum- vimana in the centre. Primarily there is no sculpture of any deity in the sanctum, yet is believed to be a Lord Shiva Temple from the exteriors and the Nataraja. Moreover, the presence of Naga and the Nagini at the narrow entrance has led to this conclusion.
The name in itself is very peculiar for any temple in the whole of Bhubaneswar; followed by the unique and beautiful in-depth cravings on the exteriors. Due to its uniqueness, the Rajarani Temple is maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Various cultural and classical music festivals are also arranged in the temple premises. I liked frolicking along the corridors of this pristine monument.
Rajarani temple offers a very blissful combination of divinity and eroticism; one can ever find in any of the temples pan India. This temple is admirable, unique, very beautiful with its distinctive craven sculptures and is a must visit. The Temple City of India i.e. Bhubaneswar remains unexplored without visiting this temple- truly a “Love Temple”.
Rajarani temple offers a very blissful combination of divinity and eroticism; one can ever find in any of the temples pan India. This temple is admirable, unique, very beautiful with its distinctive craven sculptures and is a must visit. The Temple City of India i.e. Bhubaneswar remains unexplored without visiting this temple- truly a “Love Temple”.