The Rajarani Temple is a mid-11th-century Hindu temple located in Bhubaneswar, the capital city of Odisha (Orissa), India.
Unique Features
The temple is believed to have been known originally as Indreswara. It is locally known as the "love temple" because of the erotic carvings of women, men and couples in the temple.
Unlike other temples in Bhubaneswar, Rajarani Temple has no presiding deity inside the sanctum, and hence it is not associated with any specific sect of Hinduism, although the figures of Shiva and Parvati on the walls strongly suggest a Shaivite origin.
Architecture
The temple is built in the Pancharatha style on a raised platform with two structures:
- Vimana (central shrine) rising about 18 m (59 ft).
- Jagamohana (viewing hall) with a pyramidal roof.
The temple is constructed of dull red and yellow sandstone locally called Rajarania, which is the usual explanation for the temple's name.