Photo: Lingaraj Panda

MONUMENTAL WORK: A view of the temple that is being built at Tara Tarini.

BERHAMPUR: A modern temple is being built in accordance with ancient Orissan temple architecture at Tara Tarini hill shrine in Ganjam district.

The new temple will be a `Rekha' style structure, which is unique to the State. The Jagannath temple at Puri and the Lingaraj temple at Bhubaneswar are built in this style.

Intricate carvings

The Tara Tarini Development Board (TTDB) has entrusted well-known sculptor Padma Vibhushan Raghunath Mohapatra with the task of constructing the temple using sandstone.

The work that commenced in 2003 is to be completed in another one and a half years. More than 30 artisans led by Mr. Mohapatra are involved in the task that also involves intricate carvings on the stone pieces to be joined.

The handiwork of artisans is evident from the replica of the famous arch of Mukteswar temple in Bhubaneswar that has been already established in front of the temple.

High elevation

The structure is being built around the old concrete temple of the British era. Construction up to a height of 20 feet has already been completed. Much time was spent to lay over 25-foot-deep foundation.

The temple would have an elevation of some 55 ft above the hilltop, making it a widely visible structure from places within a radius of 10 km from the shrine.

According to secretary of the TTDB Pramod Panda, the new temple is being built at an estimated cost of Rs. 2.50 crore.

The sandstone slabs needed for the project are being brought from Ganjam and Nayagarh districts. Large black granite slabs used as lintels are procured from Buguda area of Ganjam district.

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