Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar
The Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar is the largest temple which is dedicated to an important Hindu god known as Lord Shiva. This temple is the creation of King Jajati Keshari built in the 7th century. Bhubaneswar Lingaraj Temple is one of the most important temples for the Hindu’s and the Linga here is considered as the phallic form of Lord Shiva. The temple is located in the old area of Bhubaneswar and is believed to have appeared naturally in the temple which is around 8 inches in height.The mesmerizing structure of the Bhubaneswar Lingaraj Temple is a great example of the Odissi style of architecture in the olden days. The intricate yet meaningful carvings on the stone vaults beautifully cover the main sanctum of this temple. Apart from the main linga in this temple, there are other small shrines dedicated to other important goddesses. This temple attracts tourists from all over the world, especially during the festive season. This temple celebrates the Mahashivratri on a grand scale along with few other festivals. The temple and its surrounding areas are a sight to watch during these celebrations because the entire area is decorated with flowers and lights.
Important Details
Lingaraja Temple
|
Location: Lingaraj Temple Road, Old Town, Bhubaneswar
Festivals: Shivratri
Created: 11 century CE
Entry fee: Free
Timings: 1-2 hours
Visiting hours: 5:00am- 9:00pm
Best Time to Visit:
Amazing Facts about the Lingaraj Temple
• Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar is the most prominent temple in Bhubaneswar, and it’s around 180 ft tall in height.• The temple is built in a perfect Kalinga style of architecture and built in the deula manner, which is further divided into four architectural parts. The different parts are called Natamandira (Festival Hall), Jagmohana (Assembly Hall), Vimana (Sanctum Sanctorum), and Bhoga Mandap.
• The Lingaraj Temple is built by Jajati Keshari in the 11th century and it’s the biggest in Bhubaneswar.
• The temple is constructed with sandstones and strictly follows the architectural style of the Kalingas. The temple also has some elements from the Vaishnavism inside the temple which was introduced under the Ganga ruler.
• During the Ganga rule, the deity of this temple was worshipped as Harihara that represents two of the important gods from the Hindu Belief, Shiva and Vishnu.
• There’s also a famous belief that the tank near the Lingaraj Temple is believed to have water drops from all the important rivers in India.
Brilliant Architecture of the Lingaraj Temple
The architecture of this temple is interestingly done with the darkest shade of stones over a large area in Bhubaneswar. The height of this temple is around 180 ft and it’s huge in an area with several small shrines inside the temple where various gods and goddesses are worshipped. You will find many beautiful carvings on the wall which are done by keeping the scriptures in mind. The temple consists of many gates, and the devotees mostly visit from the lion gate. The entrance of the lion gate represents the lions on both sides crushing an elephant; the temple looks much larger than it actually is due to the optical influence.Related Festivals Celebrated
The festivals in this temple are celebrated with great enthusiasm and received uncountable visitors. During the festive season, the Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar receives over 6,000 visitors in a day and the count keeps increasing with every passing day and reaches somewhat around 200,000 visitors. Here are some of the important festivals celebrated in the famous temple of Bhubaneswar.
Shivratri
The Shivratri festival in this region is celebrated during the Phalgun months which fall between February and March. Thousand of devotees visit the temple to take part and witness the night long festival that includes pooja, and fasting. The devotees fast the entire day and break their fast after the Maha dip (a divine huge lamp) is lit.
Ratha Yatra
The Ratha Yatra happens every year which is also known as the Chariot Festival. It takes place in the Ashokhaastami with some important rituals where the chariot is taken in the Rameshwar Deula temple and the decorated chariot is pulled by countless devotees.
Chandan Yatra
The Chandan festival is celebrated for 22 days in various ways and many rituals are performed. After 22 days of celebrated, the deity is smeared with sandalwood paste and disported in the Bindusagar tank.
Sunian Day
This festival is celebrated from ancient times, specifically in the month of Bhadra which is (Aug-Sep). On this day, the devotees of the temple and all the visitors from outside offer their loyalty to the Lingaraj by honoring and worshipping them.These festivals have extreme importance for all the devotees of Lingaraj Temple and it is celebrated in a grand scale.
Tips for Visiting Lingaraj Temple
Now that you have a clear idea about this temple and how it radiates with a spiritual vibe throughout the year, take a look at some of the important tips to follow while visiting the Lingaraj Temple.1. You must know that non-Hindus are restricted inside the Lingaraj Temple.
2. it’s important to stay away from anyone offering a pooja service other than the temple priest.
3. Try to keep your camera away because photography is restricted in the area.
4. Follow the basic temple etiquettes for a smooth visit
5. Open your shoes outside the temple
How to Reach the Lingaraj Temple?
You must have a clear idea about the travel routes to the Lingaraj Temple. The area is well-connected with all the surrounding cities and transportation routes. By Air: Biju Patnaik Airport is the closest to this temple and located in the heart of Bhubaneswar. Traveling by air won’t be a problem because this airport is well connected with major cities like Kolkata, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, and New Delhi. By Rail: The nearest railway station to Bhubaneswar has some of the super-fast trains to the temple area, which is well connected with all the surrounding cities. By Road: Since Bhubaneswar is located close to National Highway No. 5, you will be able to easily take the roadways to reach the Lingaraj Temple via bus, cabs, and other transport.