Day 86. Legacy.23

Lingaraja Temple is dedicated to Shiva and is one of the oldest temples in Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha 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 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 built in the Deula style that has four components namely, vimana (structure containing the sanctum), jagamohana (assembly hall), natamandira (festival hall) and bhoga-mandapa (hall of offerings), each increasing in the height to its predecessor.

 The temple complex has 50 other shrines and is enclosed by a large compound wall.

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

 The temple has images of Vishnu, possibly because of the rising prominence of Jagannath sect emanating from the Ganga rulers who built the Jagannath Temple in Puri in the 12th century. The central deity of the temple, Lingaraja, is worshipped both as Shiva and Vishnu. The harmony between the two sects of Hinduism, Shaivism, and Vaishnavism, is seen in this temple where the deity is worshipped as Harihara, a combined form of Vishnu and Shiva.

The temple has an average of 6,000 visitors per day and receives lakhs of visitors during festivals. Shivaratri festival is the major festival celebrated in the temple and event visited by lacs of devotees . (Wiki)

The temple is  having a very imposing structure as indicated earlier. The exterior of the temple is full of carvings and even the stones/pillars so placed it gives a very beautiful is sight. The black stone/granite constructions give a beautiful look. As the temple premises has many other shrines, it will take some time to see and study each one of them. This temple also gives insights into the might of the rulers of the past and their  devotion, that is what the modern Hindu needs to understand and imbibe. Such temples are a beacon for the Hindu religious followers.

 The Siva- Vishnu worship  seen together in the temple puts at rest, the type of trivial arguments seen among ignoramuses in the country over centuries, including today.

I had twice visited the temple, and both the experiences were very tranquil and peace giving. One must visit the temple, when the opportunity arises, the memory will sure to last forever.

Be Happy. Be safe.

ॐ तत् सत्

8 AM