Mukteswar Temple is in Bhubaneshwar in Orissa, not far from the Parsurameswar Temple. This distinctive 10th century temple is one of the smallest and most compact, beautifully decorated with intricate carvings. There is a tank inside the compound that is still in use by devotees. Women toss coins into the tank , wishing to cure infertility. The local saint, Lakulisa is carved into the doorway. The temple's red sanstone is covered with equisite carvings of lean Sadhus or holy men as well as voluptuous women encrusted with jewels. The temples most striking feature is the arched gateway also called Torana dating back to about 900 A.D. and showing the influence of Buddhist architecture. The arched gateway has thick pillars that have strings of beads and other ornaments beautifully carved on statues of smiling women in languorous repose. In the yard stands the Kedareswar Temple with a striking 8 foot statue of Ram Bhakt Hanuman (the monkey God).
