Ananta Vasudeva Temple, Khordha, Odisha

Contents

1 Architecture
2 Legend / Local stories
3 Photo Gallery
4 How to Reach:
5 Contact Details

Ananta Vasudeva Temple, Khordha, Odisha

Date built:	13th Century
Deity:	–
Architectural style:	–
Major festivals	–
Locale:	Bhubaneswar
District::	Khordha
Address:	Gouri Nagar, Old Town, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751002
Phone	–

Ananta Vasudeva Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Krishna, an avatar of Lord Vishnu located in Bhubaneswar, the state capital of Odisha, India.The temple was constructed in the thirteenth century, and the complete murties of Krishna, Balarama and Subhadra are worshipped there. Balarama stands under a seven hooded serpent, Subhadra holds Jewels pot and lotus in her two hands keeping her left foot over another jewel pot, while Krishna holds a mace, chakra, lotus and a conch. The temple dates back to the period of Chandrika Devi, the daughter of Anangabhima III, during the reign of the king Bhanudeva.

Architecture

In form, the temple resembles the Lingaraj temple, but includes vaishnavite (Lord Vishnu related) sculptures.The temple has longitudinal bands of miniature shikharas (shrines), exactly like those in Lingaraj temple, with the minor difference that the number of the shikharas forming one longitudinal band in its case is only three.The sculpture in the exterior walls varies in character in each temple in Bhubaneswar. Most of the female sculptures in the temple walls are overly ornamanted and lack originality.

Legend / Local stories

It appears that the original image of Vishnu was worshipped on the spot where the great temple of Ananta Vasudeva was built in the 13th century A.D. Thus in the 13th century, Queen Chandrika of Eastern Ganga dynasty was prompted to construct a new temple – the temple of Ananta Vasudeva in this place. There must have been an old temple where this Vishnu image was installed. The Marathas, who extended their empire up to river Mahanadi, were responsible for renovating the Vishnu temple at Bhubaneswar in the late 17th Century.