The Antiquities of Orissa v2.c17.s1.100

v2.c17.s1.100

**Alabukesvara Temple**—To the north-east of Paraśurāmeśvara, at a distance of nearly 800 feet, there is a temple of reddish sandstone of the same quality as that which has been used for the Great Tower, and its name indicates that it had been dedicated by the sovereign who completed the Tower. The name is derived from that of Alābu [94] Keśarī,—a nick-name of the monarch who is known in history under the name of Lalāṭendu Keśarī. The *Ekāmra Purāṇa*, however, does not admit this. According to it, the name is derived from the gourd (*alābu*) alms-bowel of Śiva, which here assumed the form of a sacred tank, and gave its name both to the tank and the temple near it, which was built by Śiva himself. This story was got up to cast a halo of antiquity which the name of the king could not. The temple is a lofty one, but of plain workmanship. Its Mohan is large and commodious, but of no architectural beauty (Plate XLII). In front of it there are several small temples, and the sacred well stands on one side of it.