Suka Sari Temple - Bhubanswar

Site Name: Suka Sari Temple 
Site Type: Hindu ancient temple
Location:   Near Bindu Sagar tank, Bhubaneswar city, Odisha state, India
Highlights: Architecturally beautiful ancient temple - belongs to 13th century CE - Gangas period 
Nearest Railway Station: Bhubaneswar
Nearest Airport: Bhubaneswar
How to reach: Well connected by road, rail and air
Hotel: There are many options across the city
Restaurants: Varieties of options

Bhubaneswar is not only about the gigantic Lingaraja temple or the architectural marvels such as Raja Rani temple or Parasurameshwar temple. The city has a lot more to offer for any enthusiastic and art loving traveler or devotee. The city, which is the capital city of Odisha (formerly Orissa) state of India, is called as 'the City of Temples'. It once had around 3000 temples and even today hundreds of temples are located in every nook and corner of this heritage rich city. Let us explore an unknown and abondoned temple named Suka Sari temple in this article.

Location:

It is very difficult to provide the exact location of small and little known temples. Suka Sari temple is located right next to Sari temple on the right side of the road branching from Ratha road to Bindu Sagar, on the southern banks.


Architecture and Temple Layout:

The west facing Suka Sari temple shares the compound wall with the beautiful Sari temple. Similar to Sari temple, it was also built by the Ganga Kings in the 13th century CE.

Compared to Sari temple, this temple is smaller and has lesser architectural features. 

This ASI maintained temple is not a living temple. Based on the features of the temple, it is considered to be Shiva temple.

The temple is small but architecturally beautiful. The sanctum sanctorum has rekha type vimana and there is no Jagmohana. The vimana is Sapta Ratha on plan. The navagraha panel and Lakshmi bas relief image are found at the entrance.

The exterior walls do not have big sculptures and the niches are also empty. The decorative motifs, the mythological Gaja Vyala images and scroll works are found on the walls.

It is unfortunate that the local people not only neglect this beautiful temple but rather use it like a dumping yard. 

Let us respect and protect our heritage!

Happy travelling.

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