Baitala Deula

Baitala Deula is an 8th-century temple to the goddess Chamunda in Bhubaneswar and a leading example of the khakhara style of Kalinga architecture. Its semi-cylindrical roof, topped by a row of three spires, recalls the gopurams of south Indian temples, and gives it the local name Tini-mundia deula, the three-headed temple. The spires are said to stand for the goddess's three powers: Mahasaraswati, Mahalakshmi and Mahakali.

The sanctum is oblong and its rectangular hall has a small shrine set into each corner. Delicate reliefs cover the outer walls, showing Shiva and Parvati, hunts, the capture of wild elephants and the odd amorous couple. On the facade, one chaitya window frames Surya in a seven-horse chariot driven by Aruna, with Usha and Pratyusha loosing arrows on either side, while the other holds a ten-armed Nataraja. Inside, the temple is noted for its Tantric imagery.