Chaumukha at Gatesvara Siva Temple, Kundeswara

The Gatesvara temple is a subsidiary structure in the precinct of Trilochanesvara temple complex in the village of Kundeswara. The shrines within the complex are protected by the department of Odisha State Archaeology^[1]. The site is located about 4km east of Mundalo town. The Gatesvara temple has a small rekha vimana without any frontal porch. It is a living temple enshrining a Siva linga within a circular yonipitha. The temple is pancharatha on plan and triangabada in elevation but the crowning element of the temple is a chaumukha^[2] instead of a trident as ayudha usually found in case of a Siva temple. The chaumukha seems to be added in later period. The chaumukha is carved with twenty four Jaina Tirthankaras, six on each cardinal direction. Each side of the chaumukha depicts a standing Tirthankara image at the central rectangular niche in a larger dimension (8x2.5cm) while four Tirthankaras in seated posture, two on each side within oval niches in smaller dimension (8x0.4cm) (Pls.XLIIA-XLIIC). Another diminutive figure of Tirthankara is depicted at the top of the central figure. The chaumukha is partially defaced.