Context:
An Amicus Curiae of Orissa High Court found evidence of wear and tear in the structures of Jagannath Temple (Puri), an Archaeological Survey of India–protected monument.
An Amicus Curiae (‘friend of the court’) is an individual or organization who is not a party to a legal case, but who is permitted to assist a court.
About Jagannath Temple:
- Built by – Anantavarman (Chodaganga dynasty)
- Time Period – 12th Century
- Other Name – ‘Yamanika Tirtha’
- Type of Architecture – Kalinga architecture
- Wooden idols of Holy Trinity (Lord Jagannath, Devi Shubhadra, Balabhadra)
- Referred as – “White pagoda”
- A part of Char Dham pilgrimages (Badrinath, Dwaraka, Puri, Rameswaram).
- Stone used – Khondalite stone
- 4 gates represented by 4 animals – Lion, horse, tiger and elephant
- Sun Pillar –
- Originally stood before Sun temple of Konark(UNESCO World Heritage Site) – shifted by Marathas
- Other Monuments in Odisha – Lingaraj Temple, Tara Tarini Temple, Udaygiri and Khandagiri Caves, Odagaon Raghunath Temple, Laxmaneshwar Temple etc.
Kalinga Architecture:
- Category of Nagara style
- Building Stone – Sandstones
- 2 Parts – Deula (tower) and Jagmohan(hall)
- Type of temples –
- Rekha Deula and Khakra Deula: Sanctum Sanctorum
- Pidha Deula: Dancing and offering halls
Source: The Hindu
Previous Year Questions
The Nagara, the Dravida and the Vesara are the:
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2012 Prelims]
(a) three main racial groups of the Indian subcontinent
(b) three main linguistic divisions into which the languages of Indian can be classified
(c) three main styles of Indian temple architecture
(d) three main musical Gharanas prevalent in India
With reference to the history of Indian rock-cut architecture, consider the following statements:
- The caves at Badami are the oldest surviving rock-cut caves in India
- The Barabar rock-cut caves were originally made for Ajivikas by Emperor Chandragupta Maurya
- At Ellora, caves were made for different faiths.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2013 Prelims]
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
