Papanasini & the Kapileswar - Dhenkanal

After the Gangas,the glorious period of temple- building activities in Orissa was over,but the spirit lingered on during the succeeding period of Suryavamsi supremacy which also witnessed the erection of some notable temples in Orissa.The half-ruined porch standing near the papanasini tank still bears an inscription referring itself to the reign of Kapileswar(A.D.1435-1467).The decorative female figures which adorn the half-ruined porch,merely represent the crude imitations of their earlier prototypes.The inscribed slab that contains the elephant procession and an image of Nataraja carved on the northern wall of the structure,represent no doubt,fine specimens of art of this period,in the close vicinity of Kapileswar is a pancha-ratha temple and is similar to the Mukteswar of Bhu- baneswar.It niches,the Naga and Nagi columns,scroll works,Alasa-kanyas and half amalakas on the gandi provide clear evidence that the temple was built about tenth century A.D.