Ganeswarpur Panchu Pandava Temple, Odisha

Address

Ganeswarpur Panchu Pandava Temple Temple Road, Rudrapur, Ganeswarpur, Odisha 754201, India

Diety

Vishnu

Introduction

Ganeswarpur Panchu Pandava Temple is Located on the left bank of the river Birupa beside Jaluka hill in the quiet sleepy village of Ganeswarpur, Panchu Pandava Temple is just 52km north-west of Bhubaneswa Set in the south-east corner of a large expanse of park land which is maintained by the ASI, the temple is of the panchayatana class with a central main temple and four smaller subsidiary shrine located in the corners the platform. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the khandolite superstructure (vimana and jagamohana) of the main temple have long since collapsed, although the corner shrines do still exist and are in a good state of preservation. Inside is an image of a four-armed Vishnu made from green chlorite standing over a rectangular yonipitha pedestal, flanked by a female figure on each side holding a lotus. The exterior of the temple is decorated with architectural motifs such as vajra mundi, khakhara mundi, pilaster designa, and decorative motifs such as chaitya medallion, kirtimukha, purna kumbha and nayikas. The exterior of the temple and subsidiary shrines is quite severely weathered, but some of the detailed minute carvings you can still make out. Of particular note is a carving of a seated Buddha.

Puranic Significance

Three of the four subsidiary shrines remain standing with various levels of reconstruction having been undertaken by the ASI. The best preserved is the south-west shrine, which appears to have remained relatively intact. The north-east shrine no longer exists. Based on architectural features and sculptural details found here, it is thought the temple was built by the Somavamsi dynasty, sometime around the second quarter of the 10th century A.D. Locals here believe this is the site where the Pandavas (in the Mahabharata era) stayed for a few days during their secret exile. Arjuna, Bhima, Nakula, and Sahadeva resided here under the Jaluka hills, whilst their eldest brother Yudhisthira lived in the nearby village of Rudrapur with mother Kunti. A very similar legend surrounds the Panchu Pandav Caves in Bhubaneswar. In memory of the Pandavas stay here, it is thought king Yayati I (circa 922 – 955 A.D.) may have instigated the construction. The presiding deity was Lord Krishna (Vishnu, accompanied by Rukmini and Satyabhama) with the smaller shrines dedicated to the four junior Pandavas. 16th century the temple was destroyed by the Muslim invader Kalapahada. 80% of the main temple became rubble, and the deity idol severely damaged.