Investigating System(s) of Making in the Hindu Temples of Jajpur Town, Odisha

Abstract

The research investigates the system(s) of making in Hindu Temples of Jajpur town, Odisha. Hinduism is one of the oldest religions of India. The Hindu temple architecture has a long and significant history. It highlights variations that have happened due to numerous factors related to the region's social, geographical, and ecological conditions. One of the regional styles seen in India is the Kalinga temple architecture, which is followed in Jajpur, and constructed during 5th C.E. to 15th C.E. It has not been documented and discussed at length, compared to other sites of temple architecture in the surrounding regions. The objectives of this research are - to develop a chronological account of the identified Hindu Temple architecture of Jajpur and to investigate and analyse the system(s) of making seen in these sites. The researcher has employed a case study-based approach, which is spread across three phases – Archival Research, Visual and Architectural documentation and Inventory Analysis. Oral and Visual Narratives are documented on-site, along with the measured drawings and sketches. The documented data is analysed through inventory analysis and spatial analysis. The findings from the study contribute in creating awareness about less popular (visited) temple sites of Jajpur; developing the pedagogy of temple architecture (and history of architecture); and showcasing and promoting the Indian Knowledge systems that are embedded in temple architecture of India in general, and the selected region, in particular. From the research parameters emerging out of each phase of the research are concluded which can be referred while recommending guidelines for the preservation of existing temples and conceptualisation of new temples in the Jajpur region of Odisha