Ananta Vasudeva Temple
Hindu temple in Bhubaneswar, India
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Legend
It appears that the original image of Vishnu was worshipped on the spot where the great temple of Ananta Vasudeva was built in the 13th century CE. Thus in the 13th century, Queen Chandrika of Eastern Ganga dynasty was prompted to construct a new temple - the temple of Ananta Vasudeva in this place. There must have been an old temple where this Vishnu image was installed. The Marathas, who extended their empire up to river Mahanadi, were responsible for renovating the Vishnu temple at Bhubaneswar in the late 17th century.
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Architecture
In form, the temple resembles the Lingaraj temple, but includes Vaishnavite (Vishnu related) sculptures. The temple has longitudinal bands of miniature shikharas (shrines), exactly like those in Lingaraj temple, with the minor difference that the number of the shikharas forming one longitudinal band in its case is only three. The sculpture in the exterior walls varies in character in each temple in Bhubaneswar. Most of the female sculptures in the temple walls are overly ornamented and lack originality
The sanctum has the icons of Krishna, Balarama, and Subhadra. Balarama stands under a seven-hooded serpent, Subhadra holds pot of jewels and a lotus in her two hands, keeping her left foot over another jewel pot, while Krishna holds a mace, chakra, lotus, and a conch.
Difference from Jagannath Temple, Puri
The idols found in the garbhagrha (sanctum sanctorum) of the temple have complete structure unlike the images of the Jagannath Temple, Puri. Here the shrimurtis (idols) are made of black granite stone, rather than wood, as seen in the Puri temple. For this temple only, the city gains its name as Chakra kshetra (circular place), whereas Puri is named Shankha kshetra (conch-shaped place).
Community Service
Many temples in India do community service in the form of serving food, medical assistance, cultural activities, etc. Serving food on special occasions is done by almost all the temples and is known as Prasad. Around one hundred temples in Bhubaneswar serve food to the people in and around the temple area free or at a nominal cost. It helps in preserving traditional Odia recipes. These recipes are automatically introduced to the newer generation as well as to the visiting people from outside the state and India.The taste of the prasad is unique and delicious. It helps to maintain a connection with the ancient roots besides feeding thousands of devotees with dignity and devotion.