The Orissan temple is divided into two parts:

• The Doula
• Jagamohana

The Doula

The Doula has in itself the main image of the temple. The trunk of the Doula rises steeply upward and flattens towards its bottom and this leads to the shoulder style of the Shikhar, which blazes the uniqueness of Orissa. The trunk is divided into horizontal tiers. The tiers are reminiscent of flute disks which are the miniature versions of the ribbed cushion, which crowns the spire. The outer walls which are broken by various projections into sections are called Rathas. Even the central one of several projections in later temples is called Ratha. But, with the advent of time, the projection number has increased. The outer projections are carried over to the spire of the Doula and are called Pagas.

There are many distinctive features inside the Doula. It is suggestive of the style of the Hindu buildings and primarily the technique is based on corbelling. To close the inner space at the top heavy slabs are laid on the top of one another. But it had adverse effects which is evident from the number of spires which have collapsed inwards over the centuries.

Thus to avoid the above flaw the architects founded a tricky way out. They devised a system of flat ceilings so as to span the inner space of the sanctorum. Even the opposite walls were joined by massive slabs to form ceilings.

In all the temples, one of these ceilings known as Garba Muda is directly above the Cella. A hollow chamber is created in the larger temples by the Garbha. This ensures structural stability within the corbelling system. Even there are hidden chambers, where the most mysterious rites of the temple were performed.

As these recondite chambers were above the image and thus nearer to the transcendent deity, it opened the doors for the higher initiations to take place. Access to these secret chambers was often through an opening above the lintel of the sanctum doorway.

The Jagamohana

The Jagamohana is a porch for the congregation. It has a pyramidal foot that has receding steps. It follows the Hindu architecture style. The interior of the sanctum is generally smaller and darker than the porch. The Jagamohana trunk is made out of a number of layers which gradually forms a pyramid. The top Pidha is about half the size of the lowest one.

There is a little chamber in the temple. It is believed that all the energies of the holy deity are concentrated in the little chamber. The people get a glimpse of the sacred image performing a ritual or doing individual worship in the chamber. On the contrary the porch is open to all and group celebration is held here.

In the fully developed Jagamohana, this is followed by a huge bell shaped portion. It has Amla which has been named after the Amlaka fruit. The fruit is believed to have great purifying properties and is widely used in Ayurvedic medicines and yogic diet. Even one amazing fact is that the Amla is the epitome of the thousand petalled lotus that opens above the head of the enlightened being.

Next comes, the skull crowned by the vessel of immorality. In the microcosm, the pitcher contains the Soma juice that flows down inside the yogi’s head, purifying him with bliss. In accordance with a universal symbolism, the base and trunk are square, representing the stability of the earth, whereas the head is circular.

The internal plan of both Doula and Jagamohana are square. The base of the Doula is similar to that of the Jagamohana but due to the trunk, such buildings take distinctive forms. In both buildings the head is separated from the trunk by a neck, which is recessed cylindrical portion. The Doula and the Jagamohana are divided commonly into four main sections namely plinth, base, trunk and head. The plinth is not compulsory and thus, it is missing in many temples. But the Bada consists of the foot, lower and upper shin and the veranda, which separates the Bada from the Gandi.

The interiors of the temple are plain and demure to the stark contrast to the highly ornamental exteriors. This is done to keep the devotees mind concentrated and to devote them fully in the worshipping of God.

The temples are constructed of sandstone, around an inner core of laterite, which is also the material generally used for compound walls. The sandstone was quarried in the nearby Khandagiri and Udaygiri Hills.

The stones were slung in ropes from these poles. These were then, laid with great precision into their places on the top of one another and kept in position by their weight and iron dowels and clamps. Mortar was not used. One unusual feature of the external decorative carving is that, it was done in situ after the stone blocks were placed in their positions.