Lingaraja Temple Bhubaneswar Odisha History and Interesting Facts

Lingaraja Temple Quick Facts

Lingaraja Temple Overview

Lingaraja Temple is a famous Hindu temple located in Bhubaneswar, the capital of the eastern Indian state of Odisha (formerly Orissa). Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha, is known as the City of Temples and the Lingaraj Mahadev Temple is the largest temple in the city. Its architectural design is so exquisite and magnificent that it is visited by tourists and devotees throughout the year. It is one of the few best-numbered Hindu temples in India.

Lingaraja Temple History

According to Ferguson, this magnificent temple was built by Lalatedukesari between 617-657 AD. The present form of the Temple was given between 1090 to 1104 AD. The temple's prayer hall, main shrine and Tower were built in the 11th century, while the Bhoga-mandapa was built in the 12th century.

Some parts of the Temple are more than 1400 years old, the description of temple is also found in the writings of the 6th century. From the point of view of architecture, Lingaraja Temple looks like other temples of Orissa. From the outside, the temple appears to be adorned with thick gajras of flowers from all around, with exquisite carvings being done throughout the temple.

Mythology related to the Temple (belief):

There is a Mythological belief associated with this temple that about thousand years old, two fierce demons named Litti and Vasa were killed here by Goddess Parvati, the wife of Lord Shiva. After the end of the war, when Mother Parvati felt thirsty, Lord Shiva made a well and called all the rivers. There is also a pond named Bindusagar here and a huge temple of Lingaraj is established near it.

Lingaraja Temple Interesting Facts

1. The courtyard of this grand temple built in Bhubaneshwar is 150 meters square and the height of its Kalash is 40 meters.
2. Shikhar is considered to be the peak of the initial stage in the evolution of the peaks of Indian temples, whose height is 180 feet. This peak is usually straight and right-angled at the bottom, but after reaching the top, it has gradually become curved and at the top, a circle is often seen.
3. This Temple built in Kalinga architecture is considered to be the best among the temples of northern Indian states in terms of aesthetics and ornamentation.
4. 64 small temples have been built in the courtyard of the temple, whose number was 108 earlier.
5. Although Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu is also seated here in the form of Shaligram.
6. Three smaller Temples of Lord Ganesha, Kartikeya and Gauri are also attached to the vimana of the main temple. A black stone idol of Goddess Parvati is installed in the Gauri temple in the north of the Temple complex.
7. The Idols installed in this temple are made of Charcolith stone, whose luster has not faded even today. Sculptures like those of Khajuraho temples have been carved on the walls of the temple.
8. The same man and animal are shown having sex on the outer part of the Bhoga Mandap of the temple, which shows the mystery of man.
9. There is also a small well on the right side of this temple, it is called Marichi Kund. It is believed by the local people that by taking a bath in the water of this pool, the infertility of women is removed.
10. The main Festival of Temple is Shivaratri celebrated in the month of Phalgun, which is celebrated by lakhs of devotees together. According to the information received in the year 2012, about 2,00,000 devotees had come here on the day of Shivratri. Along with this, a 22-day long festival called Chandan Yatra is also celebrated in the temple.
11. Non-Hindu sect people are prohibited from entering the temple, although one part of the temple has a high platform so that people of other religions can also see Temple.
12. There are also 30-40 small temples around the temple, but the 'Vital' temple built in quadrilateral around the 8th century holds special importance in these. The idol of Chamunda Devi is installed in this temple. Signs of Tantric, Buddhist, and Vedic traditions are seen together in this temple.