Logo

Synopsis The book deals with the religions, art, architecture, excavation and conservation of monuments of Orissa. It contains seven chapters. The Chapter I is devoted to Buddhism, discovery of Buddhist stupas, chaityas, monasteries through excavations at Lalitgiri/Udaigiri. The discovery of precious reliccaskets with sacred relic of Lord Buddha, huge Apsidal chaitya griha, large number of sculptures, seals, sealings, inscriptions hitherto unknown. In chapter II precious Jain heritages of Orissa begins with kharavela is incorporated, the Art and Architecture of the Twin caves of Udaygiri and Khadagiri and the sculptures of Orissa is dealt in details. In Chapter III and IV Brahmanical Hinduism of Orissa is incorporated along with growth and developments of temple architecture’s viz. Rekha, Pidha and Khakhara, Hypaethral, (circular), stellate styles are discussed vis a vis its sculptures/iconography of Saiva, Sakta, Saurya, Vaishnava and Ganapatya sects are narrated with special references of icons that are discovered on the outer walls of Sikhara of Lord Jagnnath Temple at Puri after deplastering and exposing the original glory of the Temple. In Chapter V an outline of the Art heritage of Orissa is dealt with all its branches viz. Stone, Terracotta, wood carvings, ivory works, paintings and repuse or filigree works etc. Chapter VI is devoted to outstanding conservations carried out by the author at Jagannath Puri, Sun temple at Konarak, wooden Mandapa of Kapliash etc. the last Chapter deals with maritime heritage of Orissa, legacy of car festival, environment and its effect on monuments and British cemetery at Balasore in Orissa.