Jaleswar Siva Temple Precinct

Jalesvara Siva Temple Precinct is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Shiva situated on the southern outskirt of the village Kalarahanga at a distance of 2.00 km from Patia and 6.00 km south of Chudangagada in the northern outskirt of Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India.

The King complied with the desire of the lord by constructing the present temple, which is located on the western embankment of the Jalesvara pond.

To conduct the rituals and other associated activities of the temple the King gave land grants to the Brahmins of Rahanga sasan and other Sevayatas.

Rituals like Siva Vivaha, Sivaratri, Janmastami, Dola Purnima, Sitalasasthi, Chandana Yatra, Pindadana and Dhanu Makara are observed.

The adjoining depressions in the paddy fields indicate that originally the temple was surrounded by water on all the four sides which is attested by the local legend.

On elevation, the vimana is of rekha order having usual bada, gandi and mastaka measuring 12.35 metres from khura to kalasa.

On elevation, the jagamohana is a pidha deul having usual bada, gandi and mastaka measuring 7.35 metres from khura to kalasa.

The northern niche is enshrining a Mahisasuramardini image rather than Parvati is a departure of the standard parsvadevata arrangement.

The eastern niche enshrines a four-armed Kartikeya image standing in tribhanga over a decorated pedestal.

[citation needed] v) Decorative features: The bada of the vimana is a store house of sculptural embellishments.

The conjunction of anuratha and kanika paga in tala jangha is decorated with naganagi stambhas in which naga and nagi are carved in either ends, which is surmounted by an atlantid-gana.

The antarala wall is carved with khakhara-mundi and Saivite cult icons such as Kartikeya in the north and bull in the south.

The jangha is decorated with elongated khakhara mundis crowned by kalasa that is flanked by a pair of jagrata motifs.

The interior of the jagamohana measuring 3.15 square metres has a decorated ceiling designed with a large circular lotus of radiating petals and a pendant hanging at the centre.

Due to weathering and erosion, the images of the subsidiary niches of the vimana and jagamohana are eroded beyond recognition.

The lower jangha niche of the anuratha paga of both vimana and jagamohana are filled with various Bramhinical deities, primarily Saivite though many are difficult to be identified due to the ruinous conditions.

A diminutive naga in left and nagi in right are in anjali mudra on either side of the entrance portal right above the dvarapala niche.

Beneath the dvarapala niche are three diminutive figures facing the doors rather than the simha motifs on either side of chandrasila.

The dvarapalas assume a tribhanga pose and hold tridents in their left hands, with the weapon cutting diagonally across the body.

The graha architrave of the vimana above the door frames is carved with the navagrahas, each within a niche and seated in padmasana.

The graha architrave of the jagamohana measuring 1.84 metres in length is also carved with the traditional navagrahas as usual in Orissan temples.