The Papanasini Temple, Bhubaneswar,Odisha

Papanasini Siva Temple is an abandoned Hindu temple located in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India. Papanasini Siva temple is a Kalinga style architectural temple made of sandstone, built around 14th century and located at Badheibanka Chowk, Old Town, Bhubaneswar, nearby the famous Lingaraj temple. This 14 th century temple which was constructed with the great architectural talent at that time. The temple was constructed by Dry masonry technique in Kalingan style. The elevation is of 45 feet (14 m). The temple faces towards the south. It is an abandoned temple and the sactum is empty. The temple is made of laterite. This is a precinct and typology is Pidha deul (shrine). The temple is surrounded by Banesvara Siva temple in east, Maitresvara temple in south and the Papanasini compound wall in north and west. The temple is facing towards south. Special features of the temple is there is only the vimana (chariot), porch is missing.

Currently the superstructure has partly collapsed, though the finesse of sculptures therein still interests. The huge pond in the compound precinct having step wells in all sides with greenish azure waters is a sight to behold. It’s believed a dip in this pond relieves one of his sins; although the pond is much polluted, periodically it gets cleaned.The temple complex is open from sunrise till sunset and is easily accessible.

The temple has a square vimana (chariot), that measures 2.50 square metres. On elevation, the vimana is of pidha order measuring 4.16 metres in height. With fivefold divisions of the bada the temple has a panchanga bada (body) that measures 2.06 metres in height (pabhaga 0.55 metres, talajangha 0.40 metres, bandhana 0.23 metres, upara jangha 0.42 metres and baranda 0.46 metres). Gandi 1.15 metres and mastaka measures 0.95 metres. The parsvadevata niches in north, west and eastern walls measure 0.40 metres in height x 0.28 metres in width x 0.10 metres depth. All the niches are empty.

It is in very bad state of preservation and shows signs of deterioration. The eastern wall has collapsed.The temple needs to be maintained well to protect the historical monuments like this. The place is well connected with public transport. It has to get all the essential facilities for the devotees who come here to visit this great shiva temple.