What is the 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:
  • 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.