Duladevi Temple

The city of Bhubaneshwar is synonymous with the term "city of lingams" as there are very few temples that do not share that distinction like the Duladevi temple that has been built to worship the four-armed Mahishamardhini. The fierce deity is depicted killing a demon that is in the guise of a buffalo. The temples of Orissa share the distinction of being different and experimental. Hence every temple built here is remarkable for its plan and elevation. They are distinguished by vertical projections called rathas (on plan) or pagas (on elevation). Depending on the number pagas, the temples are classified into triratha, pancharatha, saptaratha and navaratha. The rekha and pidha form two component parts of one architectural scheme, the former is represented by a sanctum with its curvilinear spire and the latter by the frontal porch having pyramidal roof of receding tires known as pidhas. On elevation, the temples show some interesting features of those times. Both sanctum and the porch could be divided into three parts along the vertical plane viz. bada, gandi and mastaka. From bottom to top or final, each part of the temple has a special name corresponding to that of limbs of the human body standing on a pista or the platform on which the temple stands. But during the later part of 15th century AD impoverishment in the building of temples was noticed.