Jatar Deul Temple

About Jatar Deul Temple:

• It is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.
• Location: Located at Kanakan Dighi Village in South 24 Parganas District in West Bengal.
• The Temple stands on a small hill in the landscape of the southern Sundarbans settlements.
• A copper plate found near the temple in 1875 suggests that Raja Joychandra constructed the temple in 975 AD. 
• The temple has been classified as a Monument of National Importance by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
• Structure of Jatar Deul Temple:
  • This temple is facing towards the east and follows the Kalingan style of architecture.
  • The temple is built over a raised platform.
  • It has an arched gateway leading to the sanctum.
  • The sanctum is situated below the ground level.
  • The sanctum houses Lingas, pictures and idols of various gods & goddesses of Hindu pantheon. 
  • The walls of the temple were intricately decorated with decorative bricks, but most of it is lost due to unplanned reconstruction.

Kalingan Style of Architecture:

• It is a style of Hindu architecture which flourished in the ancient Kalinga previously known as Utkal and part of the kingdom of Magadha or present eastern Indian state of Odisha. 
• In Kalinga style – the temple is made up of two structures: a tower and hall. The Tower is called ‘Deula’,  and the hall is called ‘Jagmohan’.
• The style consists of three distinct types of temples: Rekha Deula, Pidha Deula and Khakhara Deula. .
• Rekha Deula: It is a tall building with a sikhara. The Rekha Deula means a shrine with different parts in a line.Eg: Rekha Deula in the Lingraj Temple of Bhubneshwar.
• Pidha Deula:  Pidha Deula refers to the square building with a pyramid-shaped roof, like the vimanas. Eg:  The assembly hall of the Konark Sun Temple.
• Khakhara Deula:  It is altogether a different style of architecture closely appearing similar to the Dravidian Gopuran design.The temples of the feminine deities as Shakti are temple of this type. Eg: Baitala temple of Bhubneshwar dedicated to Chamunda.

Q1) What is a terracotta structure?

It is formed by a mixture of clay and water that is fired and then either be left unglazed, or painted, slip glazed or glazed. If terracotta is to be painted, gesso (a type of primer) is applied first. Terracotta can be used structurally or non-structurally on both the exterior and interior of buildings.

Source: Sea winds erode 11th century Sundarbans temple

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