| Coordinates: | 20.1210 N 85.7137 E (mistake up to 2000 m) |
| No: | 68 (list of all attractions) |
| Categories: | Buddhist shrines, Hindu shrines, Rock cut architecture |
| Values: | Art, Architecture, History, Archaeology |
| Rank: | 9 |
| Address: | Asia, India, Orissa, Puri district, 24 km southwest from Bhubaneswar, northern slope of Aragada Hill |
| Age: | 9 - 10th c. AD |
| Religion: | Buddhism |
Northern slope of Aragada Hill is rich with Buddhist remnants - in fact hills in vicinities are honeycombed with caves of Buddhist arcetics. Aragada Hill contains circular earthen mound with architectural details like votiva stupa, railing pillars, fragments of bricks and others.
Next to the eventual stupa there is double storied temple facing north. Originally the lower storey is a rock-cut cave, upper floor is later stone structure. Temple is abandoned.
Upper floor is 3.45 x 3.45 m large, 2.4 m high. Temple is is not rich with ornamentation, except for latticed windows towards east and west and pilasters with simple ornaments.
Close to the temple there is small (0.4 x 0.3 m) rock-cut niche housing a Dhyani Buddha (representing one of five qualities of Buddha), flanked by flying Vidyadhara. Nearby also rock-cut water tank - 1.4 x 1.3 x 1.25 m large.
Basing of architectural details (nagara style) the temple could be attributed to Somavamsi period.
Temple is available by a flight of steps arranged on the north-eastern side of the hill.
Map
See Rock Cut temples of Aragada Hill on the map of India!
References
- Documentation format for Double Storied Temple at Aragada Hill, Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts. Accessed in 8th May 2010.
- Double Storied Temple at Aragada Hill, Images, Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts. Accessed in 8th May 2010.
8 May 2010 Gatis Pāvils