Architecture of Vaitala Temple

Bhubaneswar’s Vaitala temple (circa 775 A.D.) in typical temple architecture. It is the perfect embodiment of the Khakhara style of architecture. Although it is of the ratha type, the finials are Amalaka and Ayudha. The temple’s layout is unique. It is elevated on a platform. The lower basement contains scroll mouldings. Except for the west, all sides of the temple have rectangular niches in the form of windows.

Erotic sculptures are found between Bada and Mastaka. The Vaitala temple’s Jagamohana is rectangular in shape, with replicas of Sikhara-style temples in each of its four corners. The Jagamohana is devoid of pillars, grilles, and windows. The Jagamohana contains fifteen sculptures. The Vaitala temple’s inner structure features an eight-armed chamunda figure as the presiding deity.

She is surrounded by Matrika figures such as Brahmane, Mahesvari, Kaumari, Vaishnavi, Varahi, and Aindri. Virabhadra’s image is also associated with the Matrika figures. According to historians, the vaitala temple was built for the purpose of performing Tantra rituals. The interior of the temple is unusually dark in comparison to other temples. Perhaps there were some esoteric practises taking place inside the temple.

Architectural Specifications and Design Elements

The striking feature of Vaitaa Temple is the shape of its sanctuary tower. The semi-circular shape of its roof is a hallmark of the Khakhara order of temples, which is related to the Dravidian Gopuram found in South Indian temples. Its gabled towers, punctuated by a row of Shikharas, bear unmistakable signs of southern incursion. The temple’s plan is oblong, and the jagamohana is rectangular, but each angle contains a small subsidiary shrine. Although the figures in Vaitala temple are in relief, they are distinguished by their delicacy of features and perfect balance.

The outer walls are adorned with panels depicting Hindu deities, primarily Shiva and his consort Parvati in her Shakti form, hunting processions, wild elephant captures, and the occasional erotic couple.

The facade of the deua to the left of the jagamohana is dominated by two chaitya windows, the lower of which features a beautifully carved figure of Surya the Sun God with Usha (Dawn) and Pratyusha shooting arrows on either side, and Aruna in front, driving a chariot of seven horses.

In the upper Chaitya window, a medallion depicts a ten-armed Nataraja or dancing Shiva. A stone post is adorned with two Buddha-like figures seated in the Dharma-Chakra-Pravartana mudra in front of the flat-roofed Jagamohana.

Another striking feature is the temple’s Tantric associations. As evidenced by the eerie carvings in the sanctum and the image enshrined in the central niche, the temple’s eight-armed Chamunda, locally known as Kapaini, is the goddess Durga in her most terrifying form. As a result, Baita Deua is a Shakti shrine.