4/5 Tarun Y. 2 years ago on Google
Srimukhalingam
temple
dedicated
to
Lord
Shiva,
known
as
Sri
Mukha
Lingeswara
Swamy,
actually
houses
3
Ancient
Temples
in
close
vicinity
-
Madhukeswara,
Someswara
and
Bheemeswara
Temples.
The
temples
bear
testimony
to
the
magnificent
architectural
tastes
of
Kalinga
Kings
of
the
Eastern
Ganga
dynasty
or
later
known
as
Chodaganga
dynasty
after
Anantavarman
Chodaganga
(c.
1077–1147).
Chodaganga’s
Korni
Copper
Plant
Grant
(1112
AD)
mentions
that
Madhukeswara
temple
was
built
by
his
ancestor
Kamarnava.
This
dynasty
flourished
mostly
during
the
period
11th
century
to
the
early
15th
century,
but
had
beginning
before
with
Indravarman
(496
–
535).
There
is
difference
in
opinion
regarding
the
period
of
rule
of
different
rulers
of
the
dynasty.
The
Srimukhalingeswara
Madhukeswara
temple
was
built
by
Kamarnava–II
in
8th
century
AD
[i].
Two
other
opinions
place
Kamarnava–II
at
803-853
AD,
or
1015
AD.
Alternative
opinion
is:
the
construction
began
during
rule
of
Kamarnava
I
(941-976
CE).
But
8th
century
AD
is
the
most
accepted
date
because
of
new
found
inscriptions
and
resemblance
of
sculptures
with
early
Chalukyan
sculptures
of
8th
century
AD.
According
to
Lionel
D.
Barnett,
Kamarnava–II
was
grandson
of
Virasingha
(the
founder
of
eastern
Ganga
dynasty)
and
son
of
Danarnava,
Virasingha’s
second
son.
Virasingha’s
five
sons
ruled
from
different
places,
while
Danarnava
and
Kamarnava–II
retained
the
centre
at
Kalinganagara
which
has
been
identified
with
Mukhalingam.
The
early
rulers
of
the
dynasty
ruled
from
Dantapura;
the
capital
was
thus
moved
to
Mukhalingam,
and
even
later
by
later
rulers
to
Kataka
(modern
Cuttack).
At
their
zenith,
the
eastern
Ganga
dynasty
had
sway
over
the
whole
of
the
modern-day
Indian
state
of
Odisha
as
well
as
parts
of
West
Bengal,
Andhra
Pradesh
and
Chhattisgarh.
Today,
they
are
most
remembered
as
the
builders
of
the
Konark
Sun
Temple,
Odisha.
But
Srimukhalingam
temples
are
the
Less
Known
"Hidden
Treasures"
Of
India
(from
tourist
perspective,
of
course,
because
local
pilgrims
abound
from
Andhra
and
Orissa).
The
uniqueness
of
Sri
Mukhalingam
is
that,
in
the
main
temple,
the
Shiva
Lingam
has
the
face
(Sri
Mukham)
of
the
Lord.
Secondly,
the
Lingam
is
not
of
stone
formation
but
is
a
Fossil
of
the
trunk
of
Ippa
(Madhuca)
tree
with
a
naturally
carved
face.
Unfortunately,
photography
is
not
allowed
inside
the
Sanctum
Sanctorum;
so,
I
could
not
take
shot.
Madhuka
trees
are
plenty
in
this
region.
According
to
the
Sthala
Puranam,
Lord
Shiva
manifested
here
in
a
Madhuka
Tree.
His
purpose
was
to
relieve
the
Gandharvas
born
here
as
Tribals
(Sabaras)
by
Vamadeva
Maharshi’s
curse.
Thus
Shiva
here
is
also
hailed
as
Sri
Madhukeswara
Swamy.
The
temples
are
great
attraction
for
the
religious
minded
and
pilgrims.
But
they
are
great
places
for
lovers
of
art,
architecture
and
heritage.
What
would
attract
the
latter
are
marvelous
Stone
works
–
the
sculptures,
reliefs
and
bas-reliefs
adorning
the
temple
walls.
The
East-facing
Madhukeshvara
temple
rises
to
a
height
of
about
65
feet.
It
took
us
one
hour
and
half
to
reach
the
temple.
Our
auto
parked
on
the
opposite
side
of
the
road
in
front
of
the
temple.
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