KALINGA STYLE ARCHITECTURE OF TWO TEMPLES OF THE PRACHI VALLEY OF ODISHA IN EASTERN INDIA: A RECENT STUDY

Abstract

The Prachi Valley in the state of Odisha is distinguished for its archaeological
antiquities and religious sanctuaries in the Eastern part of India. The architectural designs and
pattern of the extant temples of Prachi valley are the important parts of Odishan temple art in
India. A good number of temples are existed in the different parts of the Prachi Valley and
they represent the Kalinga style of temple architecture of Odisha in Eastern India. Out of
various temples of Prachi valley, only two temples have been taken here for discussion
considering their architectural significance. In fact, the artistic designs and architectural
features of the Gramesvara temple of Lataharana and Ambika Temple of Kenduli of Prachi
valley attract scholars, art historians and archaeologists to undertake more research works on
these monuments. As the rare images / sculptures are found to be worshipped in the
Gramesvara temple of Lataharana and Ambika Temple of Kenduli of the Prachi Valley, so
these two ancient /old sites of Prachi Valley are the motivating study area for the scholars of
art history as well as archaeologists. The extant images of Prachi valley were made by the
artists of Kalingan School of artists of Odisha. The rare stone images found from the
Gramesvara temple of Lataharana and Ambika Temple at Kenduli of Prachi valley epitomize
the iconographic features of the Odishan classical art of the medieval period. The present
article focuses on architectural style alongwith the religious importance of the above two
temples of the Prachi valley of Odisha in Eastern India. Both the primary and secondary
sources are meticulously utilized in the writing of this article.