A History of South India from Prehistoric Times to the Fall of Vijayanagar c21.102

c21.102

The second period, from 900-1100, is represented by the small temple of Mukteśvar (975) on the outskirts of Bhuvaneśvar, and by the two very large temples of Lingarāja at Bhuvaneśvar (1000) and the Jagannāth at Puri (1100). The Mukteśvar registers a considerable advance on the earlier period and is one of the few temples of the region containing sculptured decorations in the interior. The Lingarāja (Pl. XIV) occupies the centre of a large quadrangle 520 feet by 465 feet enclosed by a high and massive wall with a platform inside making for easy defence when necessary. Within the enclosure are many small shrines, replicas of the central temple. The Lingarāja has all the parts of a large temple though the naṭmandir and the bhogmandir were later additions. The most striking feature of the temple is the great śikhara over the deul which dominates the whole town by its height (125 feet) and volume. The plastic decoration of its external walls is of absorbing interest and gives ample evidence of the fertile invention of the artists.