The credit to this awesome Odisha temple information goes to Vijayakumar Gaari Abbaayi Karthik. Here is the link to the original post as a Facebook note
On occasion of Odisha Day – Utkal Diwas posting details of some Shiva Temples in Odisha.
Bhubaneshwar the capital itself, is named after Lord Shiva, Tribhuvaneshwar, meaning Lord of the 3 Worlds. Bhubaneshwar is also called as the Temple City, due to the large number of Temples, and a majority of them are dedicated to Lord Shiva. One of Bhubaneshwar’s older names is Ekamra, referring to the One Mango tree, under which Lord Shiva often meditated.
There are at least 30-40 Shiva Temples in Bhubaneshwar still existing, of which Lingaraja, Mukteswar, Parasurameswar are the more well known. Of all the temples in Bhubaneshwar the Lingaraja Temple is the most prominent one, with it’s 180 ft tall tower
Lingaraj Temple represents the best of the Kalinga style of architecture too, built in the traditional Deula manner.Temples in Kalinga architecture have 4 parts-Vimana(Sanctum Sanctorum),Jagmohana(Assembly Hall),Natamandira(Festival Hall) and Bhoga Mandap
Lingaraja Temple dates back to around late 11th century, mostly built by kings from the Somavamsa, with later additions by the Ganga rulers. Jajati Keshari was believed to have built the Lingaraja Temple during the 11th Century, and it is the largest in Bhubaneshwar. The Lingaraja Temple is built mainly with sandstone, and follows the typical Kalinga style with a Vimana, Jagmohana, Nata Mandira. While essentially Shaivite, under the Ganga Rulers, certain elements of Vaishnavism were also introduced in the Lingaraj Temple. During the reign of the Ganga rulers, the deity in Lingaraja Temple was worshipped as Harihara, representing both Shiva and Vishnu. The Bindusagar Tank near Lingaraja Temple is believed to contain drops of all major rivers in India
The central tower or Gopuram of the Lingaraja Temple, that can be seen from a distance
Gopuram of the Lingaraja Temple
The interiors of the Lingaraja Temple, in Bhubaneshwar here
Interiors of the Lingaraja Temple
Not a very well known one, but worth a visit is the Ashthashambu Siva temple in Bhubaneshwar, 8 temple complex
The next largest Shiva Temple in Bhubaneshwar is the Mukteswara Temple, known for it’s architecture
Mukteswara Temple
Another view of the Mukteswara Temple, Bhubaneshwar, Shiva here is worshiped as the giver of Mukti
Mukteswara Temple
Full view of Mukteshwara Temple, Bhubaneshwar, notice the sculpture and carvings here
Mukteswara Temple
The carvings inside the Mukteshwara Temple, they do need better maintenance though
Carvings inside the Mukteshwara Temple
Parasurameshwar Temple in Bhubaneshwar, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is the oldest dating back to 8th century
Parasurameshwar Temple
The main tower of the Parashurameshwar Temple at Bhubaneshwar, again notice the carvings here
Parasurameshwar Temple
Like most other temples in Odisha, the Parashurameshwar Temple has very elaborate carvings like this
Parasurameshwar Temple Carvings
Parashurameshwar Temple so gets it’s name as it’s believed Parashuram did penace to Lord Shiva here.
The Parashurameshwar Temple was also one of the earliest to depict Durga in the Mahishasur Mardini form
Mahishasur Mardini form
One very unique Shiva Temple in Odisha is the Leaning Temple at Huma in Sambalpur district
Leaning Temple at Huma
No one is sure why the main tower of the Shiva Temple at Huma, in Sambalpur dist leans, reason not found yet
Leaning Temple at Huma
Brahmeswara Temple at Bhubaneshwar, again dating back to end of 9th century, built in a more pyramid structure
Brahmeswara Temple
Indralath temple at Bolangir, so called as Indra was believed to have worshiped Lord Shiva here, built with bricks
Indralath temple
Kapileshwara Temple on outskirts of Bhubaneshwar, often believed to be a twin to Lingaraja Temple
Kapileshwara Temple
Kapileswara is believed to be the birthplace of Sage Kapila, and the Lord here is worshiped as Kapileswara Siva
Kapileshwara Temple
Rajarani Temple in Bhubaneshwar, dedicated to Lord Shiva, but there are no idols of any deity inside the sanctum
Rajarani Temple
Again like most ancient temples in Odisha, the Rajarani Temple is famous for it’s carvings of Nayikas on the walls
Rajarani Temple Carvings
Gupteshwar Cave Temple in Koraput, is one of the more well known ones, with the idol located in a limestone cave.
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