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The Kapala Mocana (Kapal Mochan) temple is one of the ancient Saiva shrines of Orissa. It is exactly located at a distance of 80 feet from the south-west corner of Lord Jagannatha temple in the Manikarnika Sahi of Puri town.75 This temple is comparatively a smaller shrine of the ksetra. According to a tradition mentioned in the Skanda Purana, on one occasion Lord Siva became angry on Brahma and he gave a slap to him as a result of which one head of Brahma was beheaded and was stuck to his hand. After that Mahadeva Siva wandered different Lokas and worshipped Demi gods to free him from this sin but all was in vein. At last he 204

76 reached at this ksetra (Puri) where the head fell down from his hand.The place at which the head touched the earth, Siva sat there and worshipped Lord Jagannatha. He became famous in the name of Brahma Kapala Mocana Siva or Kapala Mocana Siva of Sankha Ksetra. On the basis of Skanda Purana, G.C. Tripathy has described that the shrine of Kapala Mocana is located in the second circle of the conch (Sankha)." K.C. Acharya has also described that Lord Siva could get rid of the fifth head of Brahma, which he had slain, only here after failing to do so anywhere else.78 80 On the basis of the cultural importance of the shrine, R.L. Mitra has taken Kapal Mochan Shiva as one of the Astasambhus of the ksetra and other sambhus are Markandesvara, Yajnesvara, Nilakanthesvara, Belesvara, Isanesvara, Velvesvara and Patalesvara." Surya Narayan Das has pointed out that, of these, the five Sivas are considered as the guardian deities of Sriksetra. Those Sivas are Lokanatha, Markandesvara, Yamesvara, Nilakanthesvara and Kapala Mochana. H.S. Pattanik also opines that the deity Kapala Mocana is a Svayambhu Lingam, one of the Panca-Pandava Siva who participates in the function of the Jagannatha temple including the Candana Yatra.³¹ R.L.Mitra describes that the immediate neighbourhood of the Albukesvara temple is Kapal Mochan temple, which is insignificant, without its antiquity. 82M.M. Ganguly has also mentioned that the temples of Yamesvara, Kapala Mocana and the Albukesvara, which are of no importance except that attached to them by tradition in respect of their sancity From the architectural point of view, the temple of Kapala Mocana is not so important but from the religious point of view, it is one of the important Saiva shrines of Puri town. Architectural features of the temple 83 The temple of Kapala Mocana consists of three structures such as vimana, jagamohana and natamandapa (Pl.No-10). The temple was originally envisaged 30 to 40 feet below the road level. This temple is built in sand stones, called as Baulamala and Kanda patharas. All the structures of the temple are thickly plastered with lime mortar. So the details of carvings on the temple are not describable. The temple faces to east. 205

Vimana The vimana of the Kapala Mocana temple is a panca ratha rekha deula and its height is about 61 feet from the ground of the temple. 85 It is also about 30 feet of high from the surface of the temple complex. 86 The bada of the vimana is mostly buried under the earth. The base of the bada is square of 15 feet. The bada of vimana has three divisions such as pabhaga, jangha and baranda. The pabhaga of the bada is completely burried under the earth. The niches in the kanika pagas of the jangha contain figures of the asta-dikpalas while the anuratha pagas are decorated with vajra mundis. The intervening recesses between the pagas of jangha are filled with alasa kanyas or nayika figures. The baranda of the bada consists of one single vertical moulding. The central niches of the three sides of the bada are housed with parsvadevata images of Ganesa, Kartikeya and UmaMahesvara. The curvilinear spire is surmounted on the bada of the vimana. The gandi displays five pagas, which are devoid of decorative ornamentations. The centre of the frontal raha paga of the gandi is projected with gajakranta motif. The entire gandi of the vimana is thickly plastered with lime mortar. Dopichha lions have been fixed on the top of the kanika pagas of gandi. The figures of Garuda are inserted in the four cardinal directions of the beki above rahas. They are supporting to the amalaka sila of mastaka. The mastaka of the vimana consists of beki, amalaka sila, khapuri, kalasa, ayudha (trident) and dhvaja. The sanctum preserves the Sivalingam within Saktipitha as the presiding deity of the temple. The Lingam of Lord Siva is installed 8 feet below from the surface of the temple complex. Recently, the inner walls of the sanctum are covered by glazed tiles. A composite image of Brahma- Visnu and Mahesvara has been fixed in the back wall of the sanctum. The image of Mahesvara holds parusu and mayamrga in left two hands and the right side two hands display varada and abhaya mudra respectively. Images of Brahma and Visnu have usual attributes in their hands. Jagamohana or Mukhasala The jagamohana of the Kapala Mocana temple is a pidha deula and its height is about 20 feet from the surface of the temple complex. It is a rectangular hall and measures approximately 22 feet in length and 12 feet in width. The entire 206

bada of the jagamohana is relieved with different scenes, which also finely painted. They are Sasavatarana scene; Siva is taking poison from a pot, lifting of the Kailasa mountain by Ravana and Ananta sayee Visnu. All these scenes have been executed by the local artists of Puri in modern period. The pyramidal superstructure is raised above the bada of the jagamohana. The gandi consists of three flat shaped pidhas. The mastaka of the jagamohana has not usual elements of Orissan pidha deula. There are only kalasa and ayudha noticed from the top of the upper pidha of gandi. Two small jhapasimhas are projected on the both northern and southern sides of the kalasa respectively. Inner walls of the jagamohana are decorated with some sculptures. Bull, the traditional mount of Lord Siva is installed on a circular pillar, which is placed at the centre of the jagamohana. Natamandapa. The natamandapa of the Kapal Mochan temple is a small pidha deula and its height is about 15 feet from the surface of the temple complex. The four octagonal pillars support the pyramidal roof of the natamandapa. H.S, Pattanaik has mentioned that the pillars of the structure are noteworthy with square base, octagonal shaft and bracket capitals with cushion like abacus.87 The structure of the natamandapa has three vertical divisions such as bada, gandi and mastaka. The bada of the natamandapa is absolutely plain. The gandi of the natamandapa is a pyramidal superstructure and it consists of two pidhas. There is only kalasa kept on the top of the upper pidha. This structure is built in the later period of the vimana as well as its porch. Besides these three structures, there are some other minor shrines also noticed within the temple complex. They are the temples of Ganesa and goddess Ganga in the north. The temple of Ganesa is also called as 'Sidha-Binayak' shrine of the ksetra. The shrines of Santoshi Maa, Hanumana and Narasimha are erected in the western side of the temple premises. A well located within the temple complex is locally considered as the sacred Manikarnika Tirtha, the water of which pilgrims sprinkle on their heads. 88 There is a small modern shrine built in the northern side of the vimana in which a large sized recumbent bull has been. installed in the centre of its floor. 207

Sculptures of the temple: The temple of Kapala Mocana is not profusely decorated with sculptures like other notable temples of Orissa. A few sculptures are only noticed from the different parts of the temple as well as its complex. The three side central niches of the bada of vimana contain the parsvadevata images of Ganesa, Kartikeya and Uma-Mahesvara. The four handed image of Ganesa is the parsvadevata of the southern side. He has been installed on the double patalled lotus pedestal. He displays broken tusk, rosary, battle-axe (hatchet) and a pot containing ladus in his four hands. The slab of deity is made of black chlorite and it is devoid of ornamentation. Mouse, the conventional mount of deity is installed before the nisa-shrine, which is erected in front of the central niche of the southern side. The nisa shrine of the south is a pidha order structure and its height is about 12 feet from the surface of the temple complex. The backside central niche of the bada is housed with an image of six-headed Kartikeya as the parsvadevata of the main deity. His right side six hands display sankha, padma, khadga, pasa arkusa, club and feeding the peacock while the left side six hands hold trident, bow, rooster cock, mace (gada), bell and arrow respectively. The slab of deity is carved out of black-chlorite. Small nisa-shrine of pidha order is erected in front of the central niche of the western side. The image of Uma-Mahesvara is installed in the northern side central niche as the parsvadevata of the main deity. Devi Parvati or Uma has been installed on the left lap of Mahesvara. Both the images of Uma and Mahesvara are carved seated posture in a single slab. Here Lord Siva holds dambaru and trident while devi Uma displays lotus flower and cakra in her two hands. The inner walls of the nisa shrine are relieved with the figures of Dasamahavidyas. They are such as Kali, Ugra-Tara, Vairabhi, Bhubanesvari, Chhinna-masta, Sodasi, Dhumavati, Bagala, Matangi and Kamala. Figures of both lion and bull, the conventional mounts of Uma and Mahesvara are also noticed in front of the nisa-shrine. According to R.P.Mohapatra, parssvadevata images of the temple reveal later workmanship.89 are On the niches of the inner walls and floor of the jagamohana preserved with figures of dancing Siva, Kartikeya, several Sivalingas within Sakti pitha and a slab containing a number of lingas. There is a small separate slab, 208

which contains an image of goddess Kali. Here devi is in seated posture and her four hands display khadga, a blood pot, lotus flower and a knife. In a niche of the eastern side inner wall of the jagamohana contains an image of ten-handed Siva locally called as Banambara (Siva). He holds a snake in his upper two hands; other four hands display parasu, bell, pasa ankusa and dambaru. Out of the ten hands, four are completely broken. He is standing on a prostrate body of an asura. Bull, the conventional mount of deity is carved on right of the pedestal. On the basis of sculptural features, the image of Banambara (Siva) can be dated to the 13th century AD. Two Visnu images are kept near the shed within the temple premises. Out of these, one damaged image is repaired and another image displays conch, cakra, gada and padma in his four hands. Figures of Sridevi and Bhudevi, the consorts of deity, are also depicted on the lotus pedestal. Garuda, the conventional mount of deity is carved on the right of the pedestal. The background slab of the deity is decorated with trefoil arch; makara head at the base and kirtimukha motif at the apex. Diminutive figures of Brahma and Siva are carved on either side of the arch. R.P.Mohapatra has held the view that these two Visnu images are the workmanship of the Ganga period. Both Visnu images are remarkably carved by the artists. 90 The outer walls of the northern nisa shrine are relieved with the scene of Markandesvara Siva and the image of dasabhuja-Durga. Markannda, the boy of 7 years old, who is clasping the Sivalinga with fear and he is depicted in kneeling posture. In front of Markanda, Yama is seated posture on his mount buffalo and he holds kalapasa, which is just tied on the neck of Markanda. Lord Siva is standing behind Markanda and protecting the helpless boy from the kalapasa of Yama, the god of death. The image of Mahimsamardini Durga displays trident, arrow, cakra, gada and khadga in her right side five hands, while the left five hands hold shield, bow, conch, snake and the decapitated head of an asura. Here devi is in the posture of killing to asura (demon). There is a large recumbent bull noticed in front of the nisa shrine of the northern side of the vimana. Another image of Ganesa is preserved in a separate modern shrine, which noticed in the northern side of natamandapa of the temple. This Ganesa image is locally called as 'Dasksinavarta Ganesa' of the ksetra. "The image of Ganesa is carved out of black-chlorite. 209

Although the image possesses usual attributes in hands but it is slightly different from other Ganesa images of Orissa. On the north east corner of the boundary wall, there is only one entrance gateway for entry into the temple complex. To reach the premises one has to take the help of a series of masonry steps in a descending order. There is another composite image of Brahma Visnu and Mahesvara noticed in the right side of the descending steps (Pl.No-37). These three deities are carved in padmasana pose with usual attributes in their hands. The pedestal of the composite image is also carved with the figures of the conventional mounts of Brahma, Visnu and Mahesvara. The upper part of the slab is elegantly carved with foliage. The slab of the composite image is carved out of black chlorite. The workmanship of the composite image indicates that it is executed in the later period of the temple construction.⁹2 92 Portal Decoration: The sanctum of the vimana has one doorway towards the east leading to the jagamohana. At the base of the doorjambs of the sanctum are carved with figures of Nandi and Bhrngi. They are acting as the traditional dvarapalas of the main doorway. The centre of the doorway lintel is relieved with an image of GajaLaksmi. Navagrahas are finely carved on the architrave above the doorway lintel. They are carved in padmasana pose with usual attributes in their hands. There is an image of Jagannatha depicted above the navagraha slab. Jagamohana has one doorway towards the eastern side. The doorjambs of the jagamohana are relieved with nagabandhas and floral devices. The figures of naga and nagini are carved at the base of the doorjambs. They are finely depicted in inverted posture; their heads at the bottom and tails at the top of the jamb respectively. It indicates the descending posture of naga and nagini figures in doorjambs. The doorjambs of the main entrance gateway are built in modern period. The figures of Ganesa and Kartikeya are depicted on either side of the upper part of the gateway-jamb. Figures of Nandi and Bhrngi are nicely depicted at the base of the jambs and they are acting as guards of the gateway. 210

Paintings: The southern inner wall of the jagamohana of the temple is depicted with the painting of Banambara (Siva). The ten handed dancing figure of Banambara is painted in standing posture on the prostrate body of an asura (demon). His upper two hands possess a snake, the left four hands display dambaru, bell, ankusa and abhaya mudra while the right four hands possess trident, parasu, pasa and varada -mudra respectively. Boundary Wall: The temple of Kapal Mochan is enclosed by a high masonry wall, which is made of laterite. The height of the boundary wall is about 25 feet from the surface of the temple complex and five feet above the road level. Now the surface of the temple complex is about 20 feet below the road level. The measurement of the boundary walls of the eastern and western sides is 90 feet and the northern and southern sides is 80 feet respectively." There is only one entrance in the north-east corner of the boundary wall. A flight of steps in descending order are arranged for entry into the surface of the temple complex. Date of the temple 94 95 There is no authentic source regarding the approximate date of the Kapala Mocana temple of Puri. On the basis of structural designs, H.S. Pattanaik has held the view that the older parts of the Kapala Mocana temple belong to the Somavamsi period. J.B.Padhi says that the temple of Kapal Mochan must have belonged to the Somavamsi period and been constructed in the contemporary period of Yamesvara temple of Puri town. According to B.K. Ratha, the Kapala Mocana temple of Puri town was built in the 12th century AD." H.V. Stietencron has pointed out that the Kapala Mocana temple belong to the Somavamsi period when the old temple of goddess Vimala existed in the ksetra." It confirms that the temple of Kapal Mochan is a contemporary of the original Vimala temple, which was constructed during the Somavamsi period. On the basis of the architectural devices, the construction period of the Kapala Mocana Siva temple can be tentatively assigned to the 11th century AD. It is constructed in the design of the Yamesvara temple of Puri town. The temple was built before the construction of present Jagannatha temple of Puri. Most probably, this temple was constructed by the Somavamsi ruler of Orissa. 211

The temple of Kapala Mochana is intimately associated with certain rituals of Sri Jagannatha temple i.e. Candana yatra, Sitalasasthi etc. The festival of Sivaratri is also observed in the temple. Now a local committee of Manikarnika Sahi is managing the temple.