Sursundari s of Rajarani Temple

Sursundari Information:

Sursundaris are the beautiful lady sculptures in the temples. Some call these beautiful ladies Apsaras, Kanika, Ganika, Maiden, Shilambhajika, etc. The names given by authors or websites are not always true. For example, Apsaras played a major role in Hindu mythology. Apsaras like Menaka, and Rambha played major characters and were reasons for many events. They were not just damsels or beauty pieces.

Sursundari is the most appropriate description and name for such sculptures which represent the eternal beauty of the lady along with a cultural glimpse.

Sculpture Information:

This panel of sculptures presents four divine sursundaris. All the ladies are standing on a lotus pedestal in various mudra (position).

The middle one is holding a lotus (likely) branch. With neatly tied hair, she is dressed simply.

The one on her left (from the sculpture’s point of view) is well-adored. Her long hairstyle is attractive. She even wears hair ornaments of pearls which adds more beauty.

The right-side lady is Dal Malika Sursundari. Dal means a tree branch and Dal Malika is the one who holds a tree branch.

Rajarani temple dates back to the 1100th Century CE and is the best example of Kalinga Architecture (Kalinga Panchratha Style). It is built in a Rekha Deul format.