Location : Orissa
Dedicated to : Lord Shiva
Best time to Visit : Throughout the Year
Attractions Around : Parashurameshwara Temple, Vaital
Deul, Mukteshwar Temple
About the Lingaraja Temple
The Lingaraja Temple, also known as the Bhubaneshwar temple is one of the
most famous religious places in the state of Orissa. Surrounded by a high
wall and its towering central structure rising several metres in air, the
temple is a splendid example of the architectural prowess the India artisans
had achieved during the 11th century. Built during the 7th century AD, the
temple complex is divided into three parts with each part having one temple.
Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the 'lingam' here is one of a kind such that half
of it represents Lord Shiva while the other half is symbolic of Lord Vishnu.
The over 150 shrines inside the temple enshrine various Hindu deities.
The architectural brilliance of the temple with its exquisitely carved
stone walls and statues of Hindu deities, are enough to draw even the non
spiritual someone just to witness the sheer beauty of the centuries old
structure. A huge image of Lord Ganesha is situated to the south of the
entrance to the main temple while at the back is an image of Goddess Parvati
and that of Lord Kartikeya towards the north. The neatly adorned pillars and
worship halls add to its charm.
Other Attractions in Bhubaneshwar
Parashurameshwara Temple
The earliest standing temple in Bhubaneshwar is believed to have been built
during the seventh century, the period of construction being determined by
the style of construction as well as the symbols appearing on its walls. The
structure was restored in the early part of the 20th century, though most of
the original structure remains intact to this point of time.
Vaital Deul
While the Parsurameswara temple represents the era of development in the
Kalinga style of architecture, the Vaital deul, dating back to the 8th
century, represents the Khakhara order mainly devoted to shrines of the
tantric cult. The rectangular shaped tower of the temple is its most
striking and unique feature while the beautiful carvings on the walls and
pillars are also worth appreciating.
Mukteshwar Temple
Built during the 10th century, the Mukteshwar temple is adorned with
beautifully carved figures of ascetics in various poses of meditation.
Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the magnificent decorative gateway and the arched
roof are reminiscent of the Buddhist influence in the state.
Rajarani Temple
The temple is without any presiding deity and the name rajarani is supposed
to be derived from the red sandstone used to build it, locally known as
rajarani. The architecture of the temple is one of the most remarkable in
the entire state with numerous delicately carved statues and other
structures. The picturesque surroundings present an amazing view at the time
of the sunset.
Stay At
The capital of Orissa Bhubaneshwar is a major pilgrimage centre and tourist
spot, being frequented by thousands of devotees and tourists. Staying
options at Bhubaneshwar are a plenty, of which the better ones include
Trident Hilton (5 star, 9 Km from airport), Hotel Oberoi (5 star, centrally
located), Hotel Marrion (4 star, 3 km from airport, 1 km from railway
station and bus stand), Hotel Sishmo (4 star, 3 km from airport, 1 km from
railway station, 0.5 km from bus stand), Hotel Kalinga Ashok (4 km from
Airport and 1 km from railway station) and Mayfair Lagoon (9 km from
airport, 7 km from railway station and 5 km from bus stand).
Getting There
By Air : Bhubaneshwar airport is situated just 3 km from
the city centre. Indian airlines and other private carriers connect
Bhubaneshwar with other major cities in India including Delhi, Calcutta,
Vishakhapatnam, Nagpur, Hyderabad, Chennai and Mumbai. For more information,
contact airport enquiry at 0674 - 2401084/2406472 or visit the official
website of Indian Airlines at http://indian-airlines.nic.in/
By Rail : Bhubaneshwar railway station is located in the
heart of the city. Regular trains connect the city with other major cities
in India. More information on train schedule and timings can be obtained
from the official site of Indian railways (http://www.indianrail.gov.in/).
By Road : Main bus stand at Bhubaneshwar is located at
Baramunda, 8 km from the city centre. National Highway no. 5 touches the
city, connecting it with other cities in the state. State transport buses
provide regular bus services to all the major neighbouring cities. Options
of moving around in the city include taxis, auto-rickshaws and
cycle-rickshaws.
Distance from Major Cities
- Calcutta : 441 Km
- Gaya : 774 Km
- Jamshedpur : 394 Km
- Ranchi : 556 Km
- Vishakhapatnam : 425 Km
