Brahmeswar Temple

Brahmeswar Temple Review

The exterior of this 11th-century temple, a ways south of the city center close to Rajarani Temple, is sumptuously carved with monkeys, swans, deer, figures of gods and goddesses, and religious scenes, as well as depictions of shringar (women at toilette). Over the entrance is a row of similar figures representing the nine planets, as opposed to eight planets depicted in earlier temples. Classical Odissi dance poses (Odissi is a classical dance form native to Orissa) can be quite easily identified in some of the friezes here; temples played a special role in the development of this 2,000-year-old dance form—the women who first performed Odissi did so for the gods in the inner sanctums of temples. Brahmeswar is one of the first Oriya temples to use iron beams. It is still a functioning temple but non-Hindus are allowed entry. If you're lucky, you'll be shown around by a priest who will explain their complicated symbolic significance. (He'll expect a small tip.)