A deula is an element in a Hindu temple in the local style of Odisha temple in Eastern India.[1]
Sometimes the whole temple is called Deula. The word "deula" in Oriya language means a building structure built with a particular style that is seen in most of the temples from Odisha. "Deul" is often used in English, though deul temples are also a (different) form in Bengal.
There are three types of Deulas:[2] In terms of the general north Indian terminology, the Rekha Deula (rekha deul) is the sanctuary and the tower over it, respectively the garbhagriha and the shikhara, the Pidha Deula (pida deul) is the mandapa where the faithful are present. The Khakhara deula is an alternative form of tower over the sanctuary, which in shape resembles the oblong gopuram temple gatehouses in southern Dravidian architecture.
Rekha Deula
Rekha in Oriya means a straight line. It is a tall building with a shape of sugar loaf, looking like a Shikhara. It covers and protects the sanctum sanctorum (Garbhagriha). Examples :
- The Shikhara of the Lingaraja Temple in Bhubaneswar
- The Shikhara of the Jagannath temple in Puri.
- Jagannath Temple in Nayagarh, Orissa
- Uttaresvara Siva Temple in Bhubaneswar
- The Shikhara of Yameshwar Temple in Bhubaneswar
- The Shikhara of the Shantinath Shiva Temple at Shihar village near Jayrambati, Bankura, West Bengal
Pidha Deula
It is a square building, typically with a pyramid-shaped roof, rather like the vimana towers over the sanctuaries of temples in southern Dravidian architecture. For the halls or service rooms of the temple. Examples
- The jaga mohan (assembly hall) of the Sun temple in Konârak
- The jaga mohan of Yameshwar Temple in Bhubaneswar
- The jaga mohan of the Shantinath Shiva Temple in Jayrambati, Bankura, West Bengal
- Digambara Jaina Temple, Khandagiri in Bhubaneswar
Khakhara deula
Khakara deula is a rectangular building with a truncated pyramid-shaped roof, like the gopuras. The name comes from Khakharu (=canteen (bottle)) because of the shape of the roof. The temples of the feminine deities as Shakti are temple of that type. Examples :
- Baitala Deula, Bhubaneswar (dedicated to Chamunda)
- Varahi Deula, Chaurasi, Puri district (dedicated to Varahi)
- Brahmi temple, Chaurasi
- Kedar Gouri, Bhubaneswar
- Narayani Temple, Khalikote (dedicated to Durga)
- Durga Temple, Banki
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