Subarnesvara Siva temple is situated on the left bank of Lingaraja west canal, which can be approached through Kotitirthesvara lane leading from Parasuramesvar temple to Bindu sagar. It stands opposite to Nagesvara across the Lingaraja west canal at a distance of 10.35 metres. The temple is facing towards east. The enshrined deity is a Siva lingam within a circular yoni pitha in the sanctum measuring 2.35 square metres, which is 1.20 metres below the chandrasila of the door.

Tradition & Legend

The Temple is so
named because of its association with the
Goldsmiths in close vicinity of the temple.

Ownership

i) Single/ Multiple - Single

ii) Public/ Private- Private

iii) Any other (specify): —

iv) Name: Saroj Kumar
Mishra

v) Address: Mishra Sahi,
Old town, Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar is the capital of the Indian state of Orissa, officially Odisha. The city has a long history of over 2000 years starting with Chedi dynasty who had Sisupalgarh near present-day Bhubaneswar as their capital...

.

Age

i)Precise date: 10th century AD.

ii) Approximate date: Somavamsis rule

iii) Source of Information: Architectural features and scheme of decoration including
the building materials bears strong resemblance with the 10th century temples of Bhubaneswar.

Property Type

i) Precinct/ Building/ Structure/Landscape/Site/Tank-Buildings

ii) Subtype: Temple

iii) Typology: Rekha deul

Property use

i) Abandoned/ in use: In use

ii) Present use: Living temple

iii) Past use: Worshiped

Significance

i) Historic significance: The local tradition attributed the temple to the Kesharis
who are otherwise known as Somavamsis.

ii) Cultural significance: Various rituals performed are Sivaratri, Sankranti, and
Chaturdasi.

Physical description

i) Surrounding: The temple is surrounded by the approaching road on
the east, Lingaraja west canal and paddy fields in south, Nagesvara temple across the canal
in the west and residential buildings in north.

ii) Orientation: The temple is
facing towards east.

Architectural features

The temple stands
over a low pista measuring 6.90 metres
in length, 6.30mts in width and 0.23
metres in height. On plan, the temple is
pancharatha with a square vimana
and a frontal porch extending towards
east. The vimana measures 5.45
square metres and the frontal porch
0.50 metres. On elevation, the temple is
in rekha order measuring 11.58 metres
in height from khura to kalasa with
usual bada, gandi and mastaka. The
bada measuring 3.48 metres in height
has five vertical divisions namely pabhaga with four mouldings (0.92 metres), talajangha (0.86
metres), bandhana of single moulding (0.20 metres), upara jangha (0.75 metres) and the baranda
with four mouldings (0.75 metres). The gandi above the baranda measuring 6.10 metres in height
is distinguished by a central raha and a pair of anuratha and kanika pagas on either side of
the raha, which is a curvilinear spire, and devoid of ornamentation. The mastaka as usual in
Orissan temples has components like beki, amlaka, khapuri and kalasa that measures 2.00
metres in height.

Raha niche & Parsva devatas

The parsvadevata niches located on the raha paga of
the talajangha on three sides of north, west and south measures 1.00 metres in height, 0.53
metres in width and 0.38 metres in depth are empty and devoid of ornamentation

Decorative features

The base of the gandi is decorated with a series of miniature
rekha deul as angasikharas on the pagas arranged in descending order from raha to the
kanika paga. The baranda moudings above the raha niche are relieved by chaitya motifs.
Both the upara and tala jangha are decorated with a series of pilaster motifs in relief udyota
simha finds place on the raha paga of the eastern wall
Door Jamb- Except the dvarapala niches at the base the doorjamb are
of recent additions made of plain sand stones. The door jambs measure 2.20 metres in height
and 1.60 metres in width. The dvarapala niches house Saivite dvarapalas holding trident in
their left hand along with river goddess standing on their respective mounts. Yamuna in the
right niche is provided with a parasol held by a diminutive female attendant. While the niches
are crowned by stylized chaitya motifs at the top, beneath are figures of gaja kranta
Lintel- The architrave above the door jambs measuring 1.80 metres.
is carved with navagrahas, each housed in a niche. They are all seated in padmasana except
Rahu and Ketu. The grahas are flanked by two atlantid ganas on both ends of the architrave.

State of preservation

i) Good/Fair/ Showing Signs of Deterioration/Advanced: Cracks are noticed in the
ceiling of the sanctum through which water percolates into the cella.

Condition description

i) Signs of distress: Cracks on the roof and outer wall of the temple.

ii) Structural problem: —-

iii) Repair & maintenance Repaired under X & XI Finance Commission Award

Grade (A/B/C)

i) Architecture: B

ii) Historic: B

iii) Associational: C

iv) Social/Cultural: C

Threats to the property

Conservation problem and remedies: Since the sanctum (cella) is 1.20 metres below the
present ground level, there is seepage of water from the adjoining west canal during rainy
season. When the canal over flows such underground water stagnates in side the cella that is
weakening the foundation of the temple.

Detached and loose sculptures: There is a Sahasra Lingam in the south-eastern corner
of the temple. The other fragments are an amlaka, octagonal Lingam and ornamental block
of stone with the image of a female presently worshipped as goddess Tarini