Kichakeshwari Temple
| Kishakeshwari Temple | |
|---|---|
| "କୀଚକେଶ୍ଵରୀ ମନ୍ଦିର" | |
| Name | |
| Proper name | Kishakeshwari Mandira |
| Geography | |
| Country | India |
| State/province | Odisha |
| District | Mayurbhanj |
| Location | Khiching |
| Culture | |
| Primary deity | Maa Kichakeshwari Debi |
| Architecture | |
| Architectural styles | Temple built from Black Stone Kalinga Architecture |
| Number of temples | 2 |
| History and governance | |
| Date built | 920-926 A.D. |
| Creator | Bhanja rulers |
Kishakeshwari Temple(Odia: ) is temple of Hindu Goddess Chamunda alias Kali located in Khiching, which was the ancient capital of the Bhanja rulers, located about 205 km from Balasore and 150 km from Baripada in the Mayurbhanj district of north Orissa.
The largest temple of the town is dedicated to Goddess Kichakeswari, the family goddess of the ruling chiefs of Mayurbhanj. The Goddess Kiscakeshwari was not only which was not only ishtadevata of Bhanj dynasty but also the State deity. The original temple dates back to 7th or 8th Century, with repairs done over the centuries.
The main temple opens to devotees early at 5 a.m. and closes down at 10 pm. It, however, remains closed between 12 noon to 3 pm.
The temple, made of chlorite, is architecturally brilliant and well carved from its outer surface. This temple is one of the most impressive temple of Kalinga architecture. The style of the temple is contemporary of the Brahmeshwara and the Lingaraj temples of Bhubaneswar. Height of the temple is 100 feet (30 m) and total area is 1,764 square feet (163.9 m2).
The original temple was built somewhere in the 7th or the 8th century old and was in bad shape as it had fallen in hands of vandals. However, the erstwhile and last ruler of Princely State of Mayurbhanj, Maharaja Pratap Chandra Bhanj Deo was appalled of its state. He rehabilitated and reconstructed the temple in the year 1934 spending an approximate amount of Rs. 85,000, taking care not to disturb original sculptures of Parasvadevatas, the Chaitya arches, the amorous couples, the scroll works and the , which can still be seen in the original portions of the temple.
...
Wikipedia