Isanesvara Siva Temple


Isanesvara Siva Temple is a 13th-century ad temple in Bhubaneswar in the state of Orissa, India. The time period of its construction is estimated from its architectural features and it is suggests the temple to ganga period. Isanesvara Siva temple is situated in the Goasagaresvartemple precinct. It is located on the left side of Ratha road old Town, Bhubaneswar. It is located at a distance of 1 km west of Lingaraja Temple and 1 km south of Ananta Vasudev, 300 metres south west of Ramesvara temple and 200 metres north west of Baitala Deula. The temple is facing towards east. The presiding deity is only a circular yon pitha. The lingam is missing.
This temple is used for worship. Its cultural, social and historical significances are same as the Gosagaresvara temple. Its associational significance is its usage for public meeting.

Ownership

This temple has multiple ownership and It is taken care by private persons namely Mahendra Garabadu and Bhaga Garabadu. Their residence is at Gosagaresvar Chowk, Old Town,
Bhubaneswar.

Physical description

Surrounding

The temple is surrounded by Paradaresvara temple in the west, Gosagaresvara temple in north-west and minor Siva temple in the south-west, Lingarajaa Mandapa in the northern side, and in the eastern side there is a modern compound and across wall there is a paddy field.

Orientation

The temple is facing towards East.

Plan & elevation

On plan, temple is pancharatha having a square vimana with a renovated frontal porch extending towards east. The vimana measures 3.0 square metres with the 0.60 porch of 0.60 metres. On elevation, the vimana is in rekha order with usual bada, gandi and mastaka measures 7.30 metres in height from khura to kalasa. The bada of the vimana has five vertical divisions measuring 2.20 metres in height pabhaga, tala jangha, bandhana, upara jangha and the baranda metres in height. The gandi of the vimana above the baranda measuring 3.60 metres is distinguished by central raha and a pair of anuratha and kanika pagas on either side of the raha. It is curvilinear spire. The mastaka has components like beki, amlaka. khapuri and kalasa that measures 1.50 metres in height.

Raha niche & Parsvadevatas

The parsvadevata niches on three sides uniformly measuring 0.40 metres in height, 0.28 metres in width and 0.20 metres in depth are all empty. Beneath the niches is the plain talagarvika while above the niches is in the urdhvagarvika.

Decorative feature

The base of the gandi above the baranda decorated with a series of miniature rekha deuls surmounted by udyota simha in each raha paga.
Doorjamb: The doorjamb is of recent addition made out of the renovation work and beneath the door frame there are two khakhara-mundi niches are found.
Lintel: The graha architrave is plain due to renovation.

Property type

The temple has the Rekha deul typology and it is a temple building.
Building material: Coarse grained sandstone.
Construction techniques: Dry masonry.
Style Kalinga architecture

Grade (A/B/C)

i) Architecture: B
ii) Historic:' C
iii) Associational:' B
iv) Social/Cultural:' B