Historical Geography of Ancient India c7.74

c7.74

Bhuvanesvara.—It is a village in the Khurda sub-division, 18 miles south of Cuttack and 30 miles north of Puri town. It is mostly inhabited by the Hindus. It is built on rocky soils composed of laterites overlying small mounds of sandstone. On account of the exposed rocks in the neighbourhood of the place, it becomes hot in summer. This place is not only holy but very healthy, situated on the Balianti river. It enjoys a mild but bracing winter and is not unpleasant during the rains. It is full of nux vomica trees. There are many tanks, some of which may be mentioned, namely, Kedārgaurī near Kedāreśvara, Brahmagaurī near Brahmeśvara, Kapilahrada outside the Kapileśvara temple. The biggest of the tanks is Vindusāgara. The water of the Kedārgaurī tank is quite good for dyspepsia. The Liṅgarāja temple which is the main temple, is unique from the architectural standpoint. Liṅgarāja is otherwise called Bhuvanesvara or Tribhuvaneśvar. The probable date of its construction is Śaka 588 (A.D. 666-7). Yayāti Keśarī began the construction of the temple, which was completed by Lalāṭa Keśarī. It covers an area of 4½ acres and is surrounded by a high thick wall of laterite and oblong in shape. A courtyard inside is flagged with stone and is crowded with 60 or 70 side temples. The temple of Bhagavatī, wife of Śiva, in the north-west corner is important. The main temple consists of four structures, namely, the dancing hall, the refectory hall, the porch and the tower.