5.14. Dikpalas in Odisha art

The eight dikpalas are usually carved in their respective directions on the bada of Orissan (Odisha) temples. They are the guardian deities of the eight quarters. The available evidence at Ganesvarpur indicates that they make their appearance in the temples of the Somavamsi period. The Rajarani temple is distinguished by its beautiful standing figures of asta-dikpalas. The seated dikpalas occur at Brahmesvara, Lingaraja and Jagannatha temples. The consorts of the dikpalas make their appearance in the temples of the 13th century AD. 108 The eight dikpalas or cardinal deities have been prominently carved out according to their positions as mentioned in the Lexicography of Amarakosa. From the survey, it appears that no temple before 1000AD was adorned with dikpalas. In the constructive order from the eastern quarter are to be placed Indra, Agni, Yama, Nairrta, Varuna, Vayu, Kuvera and Isana. The Pratima-Laksana and Brhat Samhita give the description of the vehicles and weapons (ayudhas) of the 8 dikpalas. The quarters, vehicles and weapons of the dikpalas of the Rajarani temple are noted below. Name Quarter Vehicle Indra East Elephant Agni South-east Ram Yama South Buffalo Weapons vajra and ankusa aksamala danda and khadga Nairrta South-west human body khadga and dhala Varuna Vayu Kuvera West North-west Makara sankha and padma Deer cakra and ketana Isana North North-east seven pitchers vara and abhaya Bull trisula and kapala 68

109 The images of the above dikpalas of the Rajarani temple of Bhubaneswar are in a good state of preservation and that of the Varuna is a fine specimen of image sculpture. All the images of the dikpalas are carved out in standing postures. In the Rajarani temple there is finest representation of the dikpalas. M.M. Ganguly remarks that the importance of dikpalas in the temple archietecture of Orissa, but he does not notice the female energies of the dikpalas.110 The image of dikpalas and their Saktis have been carved in various ways by different sculptors in a period of 500 years from 1000 AD.