Temples in Bhubaneswar
Bhubaneswar Temples
Most of the temples are located near Bindu-sarovara Tank, which is about two km south of the city center. Lingaraja and Vital Duel Temples are located west of the tank. Parasumaresvara and Muktesvara temples are east of the tank. The Rajrani and Brahmesvara Temples are a ten to fifteen-minute walk east of the Muktesvara Temple.
Lingaraja Temple (11th century)
The presiding deity is the svayambhu linga, Hari-Hara Linga, which is half Siva and half Vishnu. He is also named Tribhuvaneswara, the Lord of the three worlds. The linga of Lingaraja, or Krittivasas, is an uncarved block of granite 8 feet in diameter raised 8 inches above the ground. The Siva linga is bathed daily with water, milk and bhang. There are many other deities in the temple. In the northeast corner of the temple there is a deity of Parvati.
The main tower is 55 metres (180 feet) high. The temple area is about 150 square metres. The present temple was built between 1090 to 1104, but parts of the temple are over 1400 years old. Tradition says that one should first visit this temple before going to Puri. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu came here before going to Puri.
There is a four-day chariot festival every Mar/April when Lingaraja is drawn on his chariot to the Ramesvara Temple.
Non-Hindus are not allowed in this temple, and this rule is strictly enforced. There is a 20 foot high viewing platform along the northern wall of the temple, and from this vantage point you can get a good view of the temple compound. You will be asked for a donation at the platform. This temple is immediately south of Bindu Sagar.
Muktesvara Temple
Built in the 10th century, this small elegant temple has been described as the most exquisitely ornamented temple in Bhubaneswar. It has an 11 m (35 feet) high tower. The sandstone carvings are the most notable feature of this temple. It is also known for its ornamental gateway, carved dwarves, and intricate motif carvings of a smiling lion, adorned with beaded tassels in its mouth. Muktesvara means the Lord who bestows freedom through yoga. The Siddeswara Temple is on the same grounds and has a Ganesh deity.
The small Marichi Kund, between the Mukesvara Temple and the road, is known to cure infertility in women. It is a pleasant place to sit for awhile
Parasurameswara Temple
This temple is the oldest Siva temple in Bhubaneswar, built in the late 7th century. There are many intricate carvings on this temple. It is close to the Bhubaneswar to Puri road, on the east side of Bindu-sarovara, northeast of the Lingaraja temple. It is the best preserved and most impressive of Bhubaneswar's early temples. It has interesting carvings of elephant and horse processions and intricately carved windows. In the corner of the courtyard is the Sahasra-linga, which is 1000 small lingas joined together.
Raj Rani Temple
The Raj Rani Temple (11th century), which is surrounded by a nice garden is no longer used for worship. This temple was dedicated to Lord Brahma and is known for its well-carved tower. It is about a km east of the main road. It is one of the later Bhubaneswar temples.
Around the temple are carvings of the eight dikpalas (temple guards), who protect the temple from the different directions. They are eight important demigods.
They are Indra (east) the head of the demigods, Agni (southeast) god of fire, Yamaraja (south) god of death, Nirritti (southwest), Varuna (west) god of water, Vayu (northwest) God of air, Kubera (north) god of wealth, and Isana (northeast).
Brahmeshwara Temple
This temple was built around 1050 and is a Siva-linga temple worship. It is known for carved sculptures. The main tower is over 18m high. It is about a km east of the main road, a good walk from the Raj Rani Temple. On the north wall of the porch is a carving of Laksmi.
Vaital Deul Temple
This interesting 8th century temple is dedicated to Chamunda (Kali). She wears a necklace of skulls and is shown as the eight-armed slayer of the buffalo demon. Her necklace of skulls and the corpse she is sitting on are usually hidden by her robes. In her arms she holds a snake, a bow, a shield, a trident, a thunderbolt and an arrow with which she is piercing the neck of the demon, thus displaying the most terrifying aspect of the goddess Kali.
This temple is close to Bindu Sagar, and it has some intricate exterior carvings. To get a good view of the temple’s interior, a flashlight (torch) is needed.
ISKCON Temple
The beautifully built ISKCON temple is located on National Highway No 5, Nayapali. The Deities in the temple are Krishna Balarama, Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhadra, and Gaura-Nitai. There is also a new Radha-Krishna temple. Srila Prabhupada laid the cornerstone for this temple in February 1977, and it was finished in 1992.
There is a small guesthouse here with rooms that have attached bathrooms. These rooms are not always available, but they are quite nice if you can get one. To stay here you have to follow the ashram rules. There is a fairly basic vegetarian restaurant here.
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