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The Soul of Incredible India - Kichakeswari Temple

The Soul of Incredible India series- 

The Sun Temple at Konark

Kichakeswari Temple 

Dhanobeni Temple 

The Leaning Temple of Huma

Kichakeswari Temple

Situated in Khiching about 50 Kms from Kendujhar (Keonjhar) and about 240 Km from Bhubaneswar in Odisha, the Kichakeswari temple is a magnificent temple dedicated to Maa Kichakeswari (a form of the 8-armed Chamunda Mata). The Goddess Kichakeswari was the Kuldevi of the Bhanj dynasty as well as the state deity of the Mayurbhanj Kingdom with it's capital at Khiching. 

It is an imposing structure built of black Chlorite adorned with gorgeous carvings all over the outer walls and the Rekha Deul (the towering Vimana over the main sanctum sanctorum or Garbha griha). This early Kalingan temple does not have any Jagamohan (the congregation hall) nor the Bhog or Natya Mandaps.

It is said that this early specimen of the Kalinga style of temple architecture was built somewhere in the 7-8th century and was renovated in the early 20th century by then King of Mayurbhanj kingdom for damages caused by vandals. A small museum here has some lovely old statues and artifacts.

The outer walls have exquisite carvings of  Ganapati, Kartikeya and many other Gods, Goddesses, NagKanyas  and other intricate carvings of great finesse and beauty.

The really intricate carving is an absolute delight to behold! This next carving is barely 4 inches wide including the beautiful beaded edging... and yet the expression is so visibly joyous!

Some more sculptures which are really amazing works of art...

In the same courtyard is a small Shiva temple. Relatively plain, it still hassome lovely pieces of work in the Dwarpal panel and the statues on the outside walls. 

There is a modern park just outside the temple premises which has a Shiv-Parvati tableau. 

For history or architecture or just Indic culture aficionados, it's so worth visiting this hidden gem of Odisha!