India Guide
Orissa
Rajarani Mandir
Address: Eastern group of templesPrice: Rs100, video camera Rs25 Opening time: Daily sunrise to sunset
Even though it was never completed, the twelfth-century Rajarani Mandir ranks among the very finest of Bhubaneswar's later temples. From the far end of the well-watered gardens in which it stands, the profile of the deul dominates first impressions. The best of the sculpted figures for which Rajrani is famous surround the sides of the tower, roughly 3m off the ground, where the dikpalas ("guardians of the eight directions"), separated from one another by exquisite female nayikas, protect the main shrine.