The Antiquities of Orissa v2.c17.94

v2.c17.94

The niches on the side projections, though not quite so elaborate as the central one, are by no means wanting in ornament. One of these, figured in volume I of this work (Plate XXXI), will show that they were conceived and worked out with great taste and elegance. They are, however, not so deep as the central one, and the images carved on them are in bas-relief. [75] The niches on the corner projections are smaller and less sumptuous than the last, they serve as receptacles of the eight guardian divinities of the quarters, commonly called Dikpālas. These are Indra for the east; Agni for the south-east; Yama for the south; Nirrîti for the south-west; Varuṇa for the west; Marut for the north-west, Kuvera for the north; and Iśa for the north-east. In the Purāṇas two others are named, Brahmā for the upper regions; and Ananta for the lower; but these could not be provided for on the sides of the temple without offending the rules of the Śāstra.