Lingaraj Temple

Lingaraj Temple

Lingaraja Temple may be a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva and is one among the oldest temples in Bhubaneswar, the capital of the East Indian state of Odisha. 

The temple is the most prominent landmark of Bhubaneswar city and one among the main tourist attractions of the state.

The Lingaraja temple is the largest temple in Bhubaneswar. The central tower of the temple is 180 ft (55 m) tall. 

The temple represents the quintessence of the Kalinga Architecture and culminating within the medieval stages of the architectural tradition at Bhubaneswar.

The temple is believed to be built by the kings from the Somavamsi dynasty, with later additions from the Ganga rulers. 

The temple is made within the Deula style that has four components namely, vimana (structure containing the sanctum), Jaganmohan (assembly hall), Nata Mandira(festival hall), and bhoga-mandapa (hall of offerings), each increasing within the height to its predecessor. The temple complex has 50 other shrines and is enclosed by an outsized compound wall.

Bhubaneswar is named the Ekamra Kshetra because the deity of Lingaraja was originally under a mango (Ekamra) as noted in Ekamra Purana, a 13th-century Sanskrit treatise.

 The temple is active in worship practices, unlike most other temples in Bhubaneswar, and Shiva is worshiped as Harihara, a combined sort of Vishnu and Shiva.

The temple has images of Vishnu, possibly due to the rising prominence of the Jagannath sect emanating from the Ganga rulers who built the Jagannath Temple in Puri within the 12th century.

Lingaraja temple is maintained by the Temple Trust Board and therefore the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The temple has a mean of 6,000 visitors per day and receives lakhs of tourists during festivals.

Shivaratri festival is that the major festival celebrated within the temple and event during 2012 witnessed 2,00,000 visitors. 

The temple compound isn't hospitable non-Hindus, but there's a viewing platform beside the wall offering an honest view of the most exteriors. 

This was originally erected for a visit by Lord Curzon when Viceroy.

 Lingaraja Temple

Geography

Coordinates 20°14'18"N 85°50'01"E

Country   India

State             Odisha

District          Khurda

Locale          Lingaraja Temple Road, Old Town, Bhubaneshwar

Major festivals Shivaratri

Architecture

Architecture Kalinga Architecture

History

Date built 11th century CE

Creator         Jajati Keshari

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