Dibbesvar Temple, at
Vizianagaram in Andra Pradesh is dedicated to
Lord Shiva. Besides the religious significance, the temple is noted for its architectural splendour.
The base and walls of the temple follow a triple-segmented pattern. Subsidiary deities are housed within niches built into the walls of the shrine. A central niche holds the main subsidiary gods while other gods occupy side niches surrounding it. The canopies of the side niches and its flanks contain sculpted mythological scenes.
The shrine has a five-layered tower which shares the triple-segmented style. The center of the tower holds a spectacular rectangular panel with the image of Lord Shiva as the cosmic dancer. The doorway is tastefully decorated with motifs including that of the holy snake. The lintel above the doorway bears the images of the nine planets, strongly linked with traditional Indian beliefs.
