Chandrasekhara Mahadeva Temple

This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The enshrined deity is a lingam within a circular yonipitha (In Hindu philosophy, according to Tantra, yoni is the origin of life. The yoni is also considered to be an abstract representation of Shakti and Devi, the creative force that moves through the entire universe.). As per architectural inferences and the building materials used in its constructions, it has been inferred that the temple dates back to approximately 19th century A.D. The notable feature during this period is that towards the later part of the 15th century AD, impoverishment in the building of temples was noticed. Pidha deul (the style wherein the walls of the temple are devoid of any sculptural embellishment) became the choice for both vimana (the sanctum) and the jagamohana. The building materials used were mostly laterite. The decrease in decoration of the doorjambs too was also noticed during this period. Thus the temple building activities that started during the 6th century AD reached its climax during the Ganga Period while it had a declining phase during the Gajapati rule. Many reasons were attributed to this decline. The primary reasons were lack of royal patronage and the decline of Hindu rule in the region.