Parsurameswar Temple Orissa: Parsurameswar temple has a vimana, the sanctum, and a bada, the curvilinear spire over its roof, raising up to a height of 40.25 ft (12.27 m). It is the first temple to have an additional structure called jagamohana, compared to the earlier temples that had only the vimana. Though the temple is a dedicated to Shiva, it contains sculpted images of Sakta deities, which are otherwise part of Sakta temples. The temple is the first among Bhubaneswar temples to have depiction of Saptamatrikas images, namely, Chamunda, Varahi, Indrani, Vaisnavi, Kaumari, Sivani and Brahmi. The temple, in modern times, is maintained and administered by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) as a ticketed monument. Parasurashtami is the major festival celebrated in the temple during June–July every year. Religious significance: Parasurameswar represents Shiva as the lord of Parasuram, one of the avatars of Vishnu. According to Hindu legend, the temple derives its name from the penance of Parasuram and the resultant grace of Shiva.Parasuramashtami is the major festival celebrated in the temple on the 8th day of Ashadha (June–July) when the festival image of Lingaraj is taken to Parasurameswar Temple and feasted. Parasurameswar Temple, along with Rajarani Temple and Vaital Deula, substantiates the existence of the Devadasi tradition during the 7th and 8th centuries AD. Devadasis were girls dedicated to worship and service of a deity or a temple for the rest of their lives and usually enjoyed a high societal status. They were usually transferred to the kings palace and subsequently performed for the general masses.
Posted on: Sun, 19 Oct 2014 06:50:19 +0000
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