Bhubaneswar Ananta Vasudeva Temple, Odisha

Address

Bhubaneswar Ananta Vasudeva Temple Gouri Nagar, Old Town, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751002, India

Diety

Baladeva (Ananta)

Introduction

Located on the east bank of Bindu Sagar tank in old Bhubaneswar, the west-facing Ananta Vasudeva Temple is the only surviving Vaishnava shrine in the city, and the second biggest monument after the famous Lingaraja Temple. Architecturally it is similar to Lingaraja Temple but on a reduced scale, with the bhoga mandapa, nata mandapa (both later additions), jagamohana and deul, all dramatically ascending in height and aligned west-east. The temple is profusely adorned although many of the carvings are now damaged. In general the foliate ornamentation is more elaborate than that of Lingaraja, although the mouldings are of smaller and simpler schemes. Clearly some renovation has occurred here in recently years, most obviously with the Jagamohana which is now supported by steel girders clad around the exterior. the sculptures and temple brick are ruins. This does obstruct some of the carvings unfortunately, but a worthy compromise Many of the sculptured figures resemble those of the contemporary Sun Temple at Konark.

Puranic Significance

Ananta Vasudeva was built in 1278 A.D. by Queen Chandrika of the Eastern Ganga dynasty, daughter of Anangabhima III, during the reign of his grandson Bhanudeva. The inscription also refers to Bindu Sagar tank, thus proving it pre-dates the current temple structure, and the original deities installed were Baladeva (Ananta), Subhadra, and Krishna (Vasudeva). Scholars believe the temple we see today was built on an earlier structure that was dedicated to Vishnu. The Marathas extensively renovated the temple in the late 17th century when they ruled over Kalinga.