Mukteshvara Temple Bhubaneshwar, c. 950-975

This small but well-decorated temple was probably built, according to Huntington (p. 428), during the Somavamshi dynasty. Although still consisting of only jagamohan and deul, it has more interior decoration, and a (somewhat) slimmer spire, than its predecessors. The join between deul and jagamohan is more rational than in the Parashurameshvara temple. Most obviously, the pidha roof has by this time assumed its characteristic triangular form. (See: Parts of an East Indian Temple.)

The temple faces west, and is dedicated to Shiva. There is a lingam inside the shrine, but no Nandi outside. A small, waist-high wall defines the perimeter of the temple, echoing the shape of its base. An outstanding feature of the temple is its attractive entrance gateway (torana); most temples in Orissa do not have one. Unfortunately the exterior niche sculptures, which must have been of exceptionally high quality, are no longer present.