An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c9.s19.t3.5

v1.c9.s19.t3.5

Another flow of culture, apparently the main current, is encountered in the coastal region. Here, in the 7th century Bhubaneswar suddenly became the hub of a brisk temple-building movement which expressed itself in the progressive evolution of a distinctive style of architecture known as the Kalinga order. The importance of the centre lies not only in the group of temples which presents a complete chronicle of the Orissan style of temple architecture but also as showing a confluence of diverse religious cults and sects prevailing in the region. Numerous representations of Lakulīśa, the founder-teacher of the Pāśupata sect of Śaivism, in all the early temples of Bhubaneswar, clearly indicate that the inspiration for the activity was provided by that particular sect in the process of bringing about a sudden change in the religion of the people. The earliest group of extant temples, of which Paraśurāmeśvara is the best example, belonged to the period of the Śailodbhavas, who asserted their independence some time after 619, the date up to which the Gauḍa king Śaśāṅka had remained as the overlord of Koṅgada.