Tantra Sadhana is an esoteric tradition of Hindu culture. It is said to have started long back in the 1st Millenium CE. Though Odisha, by far, has been a witness to various forms of tantra sadhana, the combination of both Shakta & Kapalika beliefs can be found in Ekamra Kshetra. Shakta people are the ones who followed the ideology of Shaktism whereas Kapalika refers to one of the sects of Shaivism that believed in tantric & non-Puranic forms.
The Vaital Deul (Baitāḷa Deuḷa) temple is one of the unique architectural marvels of Ekamra. Considered to be designed following the Khakara style of architecture, the temple stands as the amalgamation of both Shakta and Kapalika ideologies. The connection is also supported in a medieval text. Chapter XXVII of ‘Swarnnadri-Mahodaya’ mentions, “The venerable goddess Chamunda garlanded with skulls exists at a spot on the west not far from the tank (i.e. Bindusagar)” & that “She is of terrific form and is known as Kapalini.”
As per this belief, the name Vaital is derived from betala (spirit), invoked by the kapalikas and tantriks to attain siddhis. This belief is most popular among the locals as the temple has been associated with the kapalika practices. The three spires atop the temple are believed to be dedicated to Goddess Chamunda, combining the energy of the Tridevi; Maha Kali, Maha Lakshmi & Maha Saraswati.
There’s also another concept that the name Vaital is derived from Vaita, probably a contraction of the Sanskrit word Vahitra which means a sea-going vessel or ship. The external appearance of the mastaka of Vaital Deul is similar to the hull of a ship reversed.
The architectural form of the temple, i.e Khakara style is a rectangular building with a truncated pyramid-shaped roof. The name ‘Khakara’ comes from the Odia word ‘Kakharu’ which means Gourd that resembles the shape of the roof. It is believed that these temples are mostly dedicated to feminine deities.
Do you know any other temples following the same architectural style? Let us know the story behind it in the comment section below.
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