Indian History and Architecture

“Of all the regions on earth Bharata Khand, is the most distinguished, and of all the countries of Bharata Khand, Utkala boasts the highest renown. Its whole extent is one uninterrupted tirth. Its happy inhabitants live secure of a reception…

The yogini temple at Hirapur, also known as Mahamaya Temple, is situated not very far from the present Bhubaneswar city, at a distance of about 15 km. The temple was shrouded in a veil of secrecy that its presence was…

Vaital temple is the earliest and most interesting sakta shrine in Orissa. This enigmatic temple is situated in the same compound of the Sisireswara Temple. Both the temples follow and share same architectural styles, however, based on the advanced and…

This temple is located in the same compound as of the famous Vaital temple. Both these temples may appear coeval however, on architectural grounds, Sisireswara would be a predecessor of Vaital. In this respect, it resembles a lot with its…

Cave 7: Navamuni-gumpha – Originally, this cave had two cells with a veranda in front. Later, the partition wall between the cells was removed, along with its front intervening wall and the whole was made into a spacious chamber. These…

Cave 1: Tatowa-gumpha 1 – This cave is named after the figures of parrots carved on the arches of its doorways. It is consisted of a single cell with two entrances, preceded by a benched veranda. The façade has a…

Khandagiri cave complex and Udayagiri cave complex are situated on the two prominence of the same hill, separated by a modern road. Locals assign four different names to its four separate prominence, Udayagiri (Sun-rise hill), Khandagiri (Broken hill), Nilagiri (Blue…

Cave 15: Dhanaghara-gumpha – This single cell cave has preceding veranda supported on two pillars and two pilasters. The cave is protected by a single guard, carved on its left pilaster. He is shown standing with both hands clasping a…

Cave 14: Hathi-gumpha – Architecturally, this large natural cavern is of no interest, however it is famous for its inscription, incised on its brow. The inscription has suffered much damage, all natural causes like weather, rain etc., and a shed…

Cave 11: Jamesvara-gumpha – This single cell cave has two entrances, and preceded by a benched verandah supported on two pillars. An inscription near an entrance door records that it was the cave of Nakiya, wife of Mahamada. Barua1 indicates…