Chapter 3 - Lord Jagannatha Temple

figures of Brahmã and Śiva are nicely installed on the both sides of southern doorway. These two figures are more prominent from the sculptural point of view. The doorjambs of the south are devoid of decorative ornamentation. Navagrahas are only carved on the architrave above the doorway lintel. There is a figure of Varāha depicted above the architrave. Two female figures are flanked on either side of Varäha. R.P. Mohapatra holds that the main temple of Lord Jagannātha and its porch (jagamohana) appears to have been constructed simultaneously. 32 On the basis of the architectural features, the construction period of the jagamohana can be tentatively assigned to the 1st half of the 13th century AD, most probably built by Anninga Bhima Deva-III (1211-1238 AD), the Ganga ruler of Orissa. Nāṭamaṇḍapa (Dancing hall) 33 The natamaṇḍapa of the Jagannātha temple is a flat roof deuḷa and its
height is about 60 feet from the road level. It was built in later date than the
sanctuary and its porch (jagamohana). This structure is architecturally of a
distinct character. It has a square exterior, measuring 80 feet on each side and
intrior measuring 69 feet by 67 feet.³³ It is divided within by four rows of pillars,
four pillars in each row. The pillars are of unequal size, those of two inner rows
measuring 4 feet by 16 feet 8 inches while those of the outer two rows are 3 feet 6
inches by 12 feet 8 inches. Two aisles adjoining the nave are 10 feet 6 inches while
the outer two aisles are 7 feet 9 inches each, suggesting that originally the interior
had only one aisle on each side and that the second row of pillars was added to
widen the room. Additions were made to the pillars to raise the height. In the
modern period, the pillars are decorated with the images of different gods and
goddesses. The only sculptures of Brahmā and Śiva within are dvārapāḷas at the
entrance to the bhogamanḍapa. There are numerous paintings, however,
including the Kāncī-Kāverī expeditions of king Purusottama Deva depicting the
interview between the milk woman (Māṇika Gaudiṇi) and cavaliers on horse
back (Jagannatha and Balabhadra). 34 The relief is also finely painted in Orissan
Patta Style. At the doorway of the eastern side of the nāṭamaṇḍapa, there is a
famous Garuda pillar placed inside and from this position a front view of deities
can be seen. It is a monolithic pillar, which is made of black chlorite. Garuda, the
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