Early Kalinga Style Architecture of Temples of Mahendragiri of South Odisha in Eastern India

Abstract

Mount Mahendra, popularly known as Mahendragiri, occupies an important place in the cultural heritage of Odisha in eastern India. It is one of the seven clan mountains (Kula Parvata) of India. The Eastern Gangas and the Sailodbhavas in their charters, recognize Gokarnesvara on the summit of mount Mahendra as their tulelary God. There is a controversy regarding Gokarnesvara temple and this paper attempts at a close study on that.