3.2. Pidha Deula type of Temple

The second type of temple is pidha deula, which is characterized by a pyramidal superstructure. This type of temple is also called bhadra deula .The ground plan of the pidha deula is square. The interior is slightly lighted because of the exposure of its doorway to outside and the windows, either latticed or balustraded. The interior of the pidha deula is completely plain except a few temples decorated with sculptures. In some places, the pidha deulas are used as the sanctum of the temple. Basically, the jagamohana or mukhasala of the latter temples are constructed in pidha deula designs. In the full developed temples, both the natamandapa and bhogamandapa are also built in pidha order structure. Externally, the pidha deula possesses divisions similar to that of rekha deula i.e. pista, bada, gandi and mastaka (Fig.No-2). The pista is not a regular feature. Both vimana or sanctum and the mukhasala or jagamohana stand on the same level. The bada is exactly the same as that of the rekha deula. The treatment of the bada of the pidha deula is almost similar to the bada of rekha deula. Of course certain minor variations are discernible in some temples. 34

Gandi: There is no difference between the rekha deula and the pidha deula in the treatment of the bada, but in the respect of gandi they differ from each other. The gandi of the rekha deula is a curvilinear superstructure, whereas the gandi of pidha deula has pyramidal superstructure. In the pidha deula, the gandi consists of a number of pidhas diminishing in a pyramidal shape till the topmost pidha, which is reduced to about half of the lowest one. It is because of the succession of the pidhas that the temple or deula is called pidha deula. In the latter temples, the pidhas are arranged in groups called potalas are separated from one another by recessed kanthis. Mastaka:The pidha deula also differs from the rekha deula in respect of the mastaka. The mastaka of a full-fledged pidha deula consists of beki, ghanta (a massive bell shaped member) above which there is another beki, amalakasila, khapuri, kalasa, ayudha and dhvaja. Here the ghanta is an additional member and for the perfect placing of the ghanta one beki is raised just above the topmost pidha. The ghanta has also the supporting animal and human figures just below it. The jagamohana or mukhasala of Orissan temple are mostly built in pidha order structures. Both the vimana and mukhasala stand close to each other on the same axis and are linked internally. The mukhasala standing just before the vimana also emphasize the height of the latter. The vimana was constructed first and then the mukhasala against the front wall of the former. The joining is so imperfect that a portion of the carvings on the front wall of the vimana are completely hidden behind the back wall of the mukhasala for which the visitors are not able to see them. This imperfect joining has led some scholars to think that the mukhasala is a latter addition. In the subsequent period a successful attempt was made to join the two in a more perfect manner.