Sunday, August 11, 2013

Roadissi - Varahi Temple, Chaurasi, Orissa Odisha



Chaurasi is an offbeat destination strategically located between Konark and Bhubaneshwar. One needs to take a deviation midway after crossing Pipli, towards Konark to reach this sleepy village. We inquired about the route to Varahi temple at many places but in vain. Finally a person came to our rescue and told us to proceed further on the same road and then take a left turn. It is normal for the locals here and probably most of the East Indian people to pronounce V as B and this, we realized only after meeting the last person who saved us from the trial of searching for Barahi!  As we drove, we spotted the board at a crossing that directed us towards the temple. Varahi/Barahi temple stood there silently, witnessing its great past, the silent present and an uncertain future. This temple holds a very unique place, since it is extremely rare to find a temple dedicated solely to the Goddess Varahi (one among the seven mother goddesses), though many temples are found having the Saptamatrikas (the seven mother goddesses) and the goddess Chamundi. This temple was built during the 10th century A.D. 
The Information Board
 
Varahi Temple

        The temple is built on a platform devoid of decorations, though the outer walls have elaborate carvings. The shrine is unusually rectangular (most Orissan temples are square) in shape and the Shikara is a form in the evolution of Kharkhara deul, wherein a semi-cylindrical ridge crowns it. A beautiful statue of Lord Surya is installed in the niche. It has a two tiered hipped roof and has 2 latticed windows on either sides of the Jagamohan (Navaranga). There are varieties of sculptures on the walls depicting various divinities and other aspects of daily life. The idol of Varahi is indeed very beautiful.
The Deul or Shikara
Latticed Window
Naga Pillar
Walking Ganapathy
Lord Surya and his Horses
Carvings
Erotic
Kalasa
 
 

We Visited this place during our road trip to Odisha.

10 comments:

  1. You do live in such an incredible country with such an amazing, fascinating history!! I truly thank you for sharing so much of it with us and I do look forward to your posts/captures! Hope you are enjoying a lovely weekend!
    Sylvia

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  2. Beautiful temple with lovely architectures. Thanks for sharing this.

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  3. Wow
    Thank you for introducing such lesser known beautiful temples to us

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  4. This post is very informative post...

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  5. You have covered the temple beautifully. I had been to this place only last year.

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  6. Wow. I've never seen that kind of a Naga Pillar earlier. Thanks for this post Team G! :)
    Indian Fashion n Travel Blogger! - Bhusha's INDIA TRAVELOGUE

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  7. Mesmerized by the richness of our country.

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  8. Quite an informative description. Thanks for sharing.

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