5/5 Sachin Kumar P. 4 months ago on Google
The
largest
and
the
most
sacred
shrine
of
the
Temple
City
Bhubaneswar
is
the
Lingaraj
Temple.
The
temple
is
devoted
to
Lord
Harihara,
which
essentially
means
it
is
dedicated
to
Hari
(Lord
Vishnu)
and
Hara
(Lord
Shiva).
Built
in
the
11th
century,
this
place
of
worship
houses
a
Swayambhu
(self-manifested)
Shivalinga,
which
is
believed
to
be
8
feet
in
diameter
and
8
inches
tall.
An
architectural
wonder,
the
Lingaraj
Temple
is
the
top
tourist
attraction
of
the
city;
however,
it
can
only
be
visited
by
Hindus.
A
platform
has
been
built
outside
the
complex
for
non-Hindus
to
get
a
glimpse
of
this
magnificent
ancient
structure.
Thousands
of
devotees
flock
the
temple
across
the
year,
but
this
number
increases
significantly
on
festivals
like
Mahashivratri
and
Ashokastami
that
are
celebrated
with
much
fanfare
in
its
premises.
Built
in
Kalinga
architectural
style,
the
temple
boasts
of
finely
carved
sculptures
on
the
walls
of
the
temple.
Spread
over
a
huge
area,
the
temple
complex
also
features
150
smaller
shrines.
The
height
of
the
tower
of
the
main
sanctum
is
quite
high
and
can
be
seen
from
a
distance.
History:
According
to
historical
accounts,
the
Lingaraj
Temple
was
built
in
the
11th
century
by
Jajati
Keshari,
who
was
a
Somvanshi
king.
However,
there
is
a
belief
that
the
Swayambhu
Shivalinga
in
the
temple
was
worshiped
even
in
the
7th
century.
As
per
mythological
studies,
the
temple
finds
its
name
in
Brahma
Purana,
which
is
an
ancient
Hindu
scripture
dedicated
to
Lord
Brahma.
An
interesting
aspect
of
the
shrine
is
that
it
signifies
the
coming
together
of
two
major
sects
of
Hinduism
-
Shaivism
and
Vaishnavism.
Every
year,
festivals
like
Mahashivaratri,
Ashokashtami
and
Chandan
Yatra
are
celebrated
in
the
temple
with
loads
of
enthusiasm.
Among
these,
Mahashivaratri
is
the
most
important
one;
it
is
celebrated
in
the
Phalgun
month
of
the
Hindu
calendar.
On
this
day,
thousands
of
devotees
visit
the
temple
to
make
offerings
to
Lord
Shiva.
Many
devotees
also
keep
fast
through
the
day
and
break
it
at
night,
after
a
Mahadipa
(big
illuminated
earthen
lamp)
is
raised
atop
the
temple.
Chandan
Yatra
is
a
21-day
festival
that
begins
on
the
auspicious
day
of
Akshaya
Tritiya.
During
this
festival,
the
idols
of
the
deities
are
taken
to
the
Bindu
Sarovar
and
a
procession
is
performed
in
the
water
in
beautifully
decorated
narrow
boats
called
Chapa.
The
idols
are
then
sanctified
with
Chandan
(sandalwood
paste)
and
water.
The
annual
Car
Festival
or
Rath
Yatra
of
Lord
Lingaraj
is
called
as
Ashokashtami.
It
is
celebrated
with
much
fervor
on
the
eight
day
of
Chaitra
month
(March/April)
as
per
the
Hindu
calendar.
During
the
festival,
the
idol
of
Lord
Lingaraj
is
taken
to
the
Rameswar
Temple
(also
called
as
Mausi
Maa
Temple)
in
a
decorated
chariot.
The
idol
of
the
deity
is
brought
back
to
the
Lingaraj
Temple
after
four
days,
following
a
ritual
bath
at
the
Bindu
Sarovar.
Devotees
gather
in
large
numbers
to
attend
this
festival
and
pay
their
homage.
Bhubaneswar
was
referred
to
as
Ekamra
Van
in
ancient
times.
This
garden
has
a
variety
of
plants,
which
are
associated
with
different
Hindu
gods
and
goddesses
and
are
known
for
their
medicinal
properties.
Some
of
the
other
religious
places
to
visit
after
exploring
the
Lingaraj
Temple
are
the
famous
Mukteswara
Temple, Rajarani
Temple,
Ananta
Vasudeva
Temple,
Brahmeswara
Temple
and
Parasurameswara
Temple.
Each
of
these
temples
is
sacred
to
Hinduism
and
are
popular
for
their
mesmerizing
architecture.
Besides
temples,
tourists
can
also
head
to
other
interesting
places
of
the
city
like
the
Odisha
State
Museum,
Odisha
Craft
Museum, Udayagiri
and
Khandagiri
Caves and
Dhauligiri
Shanti
Stupa.
Timing:
There
is
no
entry
fee
to
visit
the
temple.
It
remains
open
on
all
days,
from
6:00
am
to
7:00
pm.
Important:
Entry
into
the
temple
is
restricted
for
non-Hindus.
full
videos
is
available
on
my
YouTube
channel
(@JayHanuman6496)
