Sukutesvara Temple located in the old town of 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...

 serves as purpose for community gathering. The preceding deity in this temple is a Siva- lingam (Lord Shiva) situated at the centre. The temple observes various religious sacraments like Mahasivaratri,
Chandipatha and Rudrabhisekha.

Location

i) Address & ii) Approach: The temple is situated behind the Lingaraja market complex,
right side of the Ganga Yamuna road branching from Gouri Sankara Temple. It is south west
of Ganga Yamuna precinct, west of Lakshesvara. The presiding deity is a Siva-lingam at the
centre of a circular yoni pitha. It is a living temple facing towards east.

Tradition & legends

3. Ownership

i) Single/ Multiple: Multiple

ii) Public/ Private: Private

iii) Any other (specify): The temple is looked after by Damodar Mishra, who is the
chief priest of the temple.

iv) Name: Damodar Mishra.

v) Address: Ganga Yamuna lane, 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

ii) Approximate date: 16th Century A.D.
iii) Source of Information: As evident from the structure, the enshrined deity and the
navagraha panel.

Property Type

i) Precinct/ Building/ Structure/Landscape/Site/Tank: Building

ii) Subtype: Temple

iii) Typology: Pidha deul

Property use

i) Abandoned/ in use: In use

ii) Present use: Living Temple

iii) Past use: Worshipped

Significance

i) Historic significance: According to local tradition the temple was constructed
during the hey day of the Kesharis.

ii) Cultural significance: Various religious sacraments like Mahasivaratri,
Chandipatha and Rudrabhisekha are observed here.

iii) Social significance: Thread ceremony, mundan kriya, engagements are held
here.

iv) Associational significance:

Physical description

i) Surrounding: The temple is surrounded by Lakhesvara temple compound
wall in east, open space in west, Ganga-Yamuna road in north and private residential buildings
in south.

ii) Orientation: The temple is facing towards east.

iii) Architectural features (Plan and Elevation): On plan, the temple has a vimana and a
frontal porch. The vimana measures 2.80 square metres with a frontal porch of 0.55 metres. There
is a modern hall measuring 3.25 square metres for congregation in front of the temple which
served as the jagamohana. It is pancharatha as distinguished by a central raha and a pair of
anuratha and kanika pagas on either side of the raha. On elevation, the vimana is of pidhaorder that measures 1.57 metres in height. From bottom to the top the temple has a bada,
gandi and mastaka. With the threefold divisions of bada the temple has a trianga bada
measuring 1.57 metres in height. (pabhaga 0.38 metres, jangha 0.86 metres, baranda 0.33 metres).
The gandi has three tiers measuring 1.50 metres in height. The mastaka as usual in Orissan
temple has components like beki, amalaka, khapuri and kalasa that measures 0.90 metres in
height.

Raha niche & parsva devatas

The raha niches are located in the jangha of north,
south and western sides and uniformly measures 0.50 metres in height x 0.46 metres in width and
with a depth of 0.20 metres. The images in the niches are of recent installation.

Decorative features: —

Door Jambs: The doorjambs measuring 1.10 metres in height and 0.56 metres
in width are carved with single vertical band which is a renovated one. At the lalatabimba
there is a Gajalaxmi image seated on a double petalled lotus, flanked by two elephants.
Lintel: The architrave above the doorjamb is carved with the
navagrahas all seated in padmasana.

vi) Building material: Laterite.

vii) Construction techniques: Dry masonry

viii) Style: Kalingan

ix) Special features, if any: —

State of preservation

i) Good/Fair/ Showing Signs of Deterioration/Advanced: Fair, due to recent renovation
work.
ii) State of Decay/Danger of Disappearance: —.

Grade (A/B/C)

i) Architecture: B

ii) Historic: C

iii) Associational: C

iv) Social/Cultural: C

Threats to the property

Conservation Problem and Remedies: —-
Compound wall: There is a compound wall made of laterite measuring 10.10
square metres and 1.43 metres in height with a thickness of 0.35 metres.