NARRATIVES IN THE TEMPLE PRECINCTS OF THE ERSTWHILE KALINGA REGION: SPECIFIC FOCUS ON OLD BHUBANESWAR, ODISHA.

Abstract

The Kalinga Region is now situated in India's eastern coastal region of Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh. One of the temple sites in the Kalinga Region is Ekamra Kshetra in Bhubaneswar, where 700 temples used to stand at one point in history. The temple architecture style peculiar to Ekamra Kshetra is, known as Rekha Deula, Pidha Deula, and Khakhara Deula, which are architectural features unique to the Kalinga architecture style. The temple precincts have received minimal study, even though these precincts are significant because some religious, cultural, and day-to-day activities occur there, and they add to the character of the temples. Narrative Architecture serves as the vessel through which these stories and characters are conveyed, intertwining within the very fabric of the traditional built environment. This research attempts to document and investigate the spatial narratives seen in the temple precinct of the erstwhile Kalinga region, with a specific focus on Old Bhubaneswar, historically known as Ekamra Kshetra. The research collects information on the identified temple precincts and creates spatial narratives focusing on the Precincts. The research focuses on the significant temple precinct of Mukteswara, Siddeswara and Parsurameswar Temples in Ekamra Kshetra. This research is deductive, a mixed-method approach is adopted for this research. It will have both qualitative and quantitative aspects, which are documentation and analyses through surveys; interaction studies; site visits; observations; photography; illustrations and drawings – covered within the temple precinct. The temple precinct is meticulously planned, with an open park acting as a buffer between the temples. Shikhara elements are symmetrically repeated as one approaches Mukteswara Temple, demonstrating thoughtful planning and aesthetic balance. These are just a few concrete instances of the Precinct's Spatial Narratives. The precinct is organized into seven distinct spatial zones that define boundaries and create a clear hierarchy.