72. Architectural Design of Jagannath Puri Temple

Architectural Design of Jagannath Puri Temple:

Churches, temples, and mosques adorn villages and city streets throughout the entire world. The architectural designs of these religious buildings and monuments indicate the nature of worship and beliefs of the society that built them. Each great cultural movement throughout history has made its own contribution to the art of building, so that the aspirations of the people, and even their way of life, stand revealed for all to see. In each of the major historical developments of architecture, there is one distinct feature by which it can be recognized: Greek architecture was based on refinement and perfection of the lines, Roman buildings are remarkable for their scientific construction, French Gothic reveals the passionate energy of the builders, and Italian Renaissance reflects the scholarship of its time. The foremost quality of Indian architecture is its spirituality...

According to texts of sacred architecture known as silpa-sastra, each intricate aspect of a temple structure has some significance.

Orissan temples display one of the most distinctive styles of religious architecture in Southeast Asia. There is something special about the design which is ornate on the outside but simple within. Although the temple exteriors are intricately carved, grand and often toweringly tall, they always appear unpretentious, small and sweet even when standing right next to them.

The main temple of Jagannatha Swami soars 214 feet high above the road level. The temple complex encompasses 450,000 square feet contained within two rectangular walls. The 25 foot high outer wall (665' x 640') is called Meghanada, the inner wall (420' x 315') is Kurma Prachir.

In the case of Jagannath temple, the building is so old and the architecture of the immense temple so detailed that archaeologists have spent decades examining it. The temple itself is an Indo-Aryan design from the middle period of Orissan-style temples (800-1250 A.D.). Historians believe the Muktesvara Temple in Bhuvanesvara, constructed in 975 A.D., to be the prototype of this particular design.

The fine quality of the temple architecture is easily seen outside, and especially inside at the borders of the door frames wherein the 24 forms of Vishnu are beautifully sculpted in stone.

Records show that the present Jagannath temple was constructed as a pillar of victory by Chora Ganga (Chodaganga), the conqueror of Kalinga who reigned from A.D. 1078-1147, but that it wasn't consecrated as a temple until later. Most historians agree that construction began under the royal patronage of King Chodagangadeva, but was finished by his descendant, King Anangabhima in 1200 A.D.