Rajarani Temple

The 11th century Rajarani Temple, also known as Indreshwara Temple or the temple of love, stands amidst well maintained gardens in Old Bhubaneswar. Famous for its sculptures and successive tiers of projections rising to form the main tower, the temple derives its name from a variety of sandstone (dull red and turbid yellow sandstone) used to build it. With the outer walls ornately carved with numerous erotic sculptures of couples, Rajarani is a reminiscent of the temples of Khajuraho. The temple is aesthetically stunning with carvings of tall and slender nayikas (temple figures) carved in high relief on the walls―figures in amorous dalliance and in acts, such as fondling her child, looking into the mirror, taking off her anklet, caressing the bird, playing instrument, holding branches of trees etc. Around the entire structure are sculptures of ‘Dikpalas’ or guardians of the eight directions carved around the temple. The temple does not have an idol in the sanctum sanctorum, but its strong Shaivite association can be testified from the figures of Lord Shiva and his consort Parvati on the platform and Shaiva Dwarapalas (doorkeepers) on the entrance doorjambs. The temple, located on the Tankapani Road, is maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) as a ticketed monument. While there is an entry fee of Rs 5 for Indian visitors, foreigners have to pay Rs 100 to enter the temple premises.