3.4. Gauriya (Gaudiya) type of Temple

A fourth, a late type, Gauriya (Gaudiya), an exotic form of temple from Bengal of which we find a very few examples in Orissa did not strike roof and falls beyond the pale of the Orissan Style. The other temples dedicated to the worship of Sixty-four Yoginis at Hirapur and Ranipur Jharial were constructed in circular form. They contain niches within the inner portion of the circular wall for the Yoginis and a mandapa at the centre for the presiding deity. They have only one door entrance in the eastern direction. They have been conceived in the pattern of a Saktipitha and have no firm base in Orissan Style of architecture. As regards orientation, there is no fixed rule. Generally, most of the temples of Orissa face to east but some temples also facing west, north and south are not unusual in Orissa. 37