Lingraj Temple, Bhuvneshwar, Odisha, India

Lingraj Temple, Bhuvneshwar, Odisha, India

Location

Lingraj Temple is situated in the heart of the capital city of Odisha at Bhuvneshawar. The name LINGRAJ  literally mean the king of Lingam. The main deity inside the temple is Lord Shiva in combo form, clarified below.

Lingraj Temple

Puri Beach

Specialty of Lingam

The Lingam here is worshiped in the form Hari and Hara i.e. two forms. One is Hari,which means Lord Vishnu and second is Hara which means Lord Shiva.This way the Lingam is regarded as Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva both. This Lingam is believed to be a Swayambhu (self created) Lingam.

The Lingam is circular in shape, 8 ft in diameter and 8 inches in height. The surface of the Lingam look like bubbles on it and also called BUD - BUD  (Hindi word)  Lingam. Its circular shape represents Sudarshana Chakra of Lord Vishnu.


Devotees called this Lingam as Hariharatmak  (representing Lord Vishnu)  and Kalrudratmak (representing Lord Shiva) both. In this way this Lingam is worshiped as Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu both at one place. The devotees are allowed to worship here without the help of any priest or panda.

About the Temple

The temple is divided in to four parts 1. Grabhgriha, 2.Yagnashala, 3. Bhogmandap, 4.Natyashala.

The height of the main temple is 180 ft. There are approximately 180 temples of other Hindu Gods inside the compound wall of the temple.

On the main entrance door of the temple one can see the symbol of Trident on one side and Chakra on another side, again representing the temple as of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu both. Water, milk, honey, curd, bhang etc are used daily for ablution of the Shivlingam.

Lingraj temple states the rich legacy of Indian culture and traditions. The temple has an average of 6000 visitors per day.

Guidelines for Darshan

1. Non Hindus are not allowed to enter inside the temple, but can see the Deity from the viewing platform made for this purpose. 

2. Unbath visitors are not allowed.

3. Menstruating women are not allowed to go inside the temple.

4. One who had Death in his family can not enter the temple before 12 days.

History of the Temple

The temple is an ancient one and believed to be constructed in last decade of 11th century. Although the construction started in 6 th century CE and completed part by part.

A historian Ferguson believes that the temple might have been initiated by Lelat Indra Kesri who reigned from 615 to 657 CE. Finally the temple completed by the King Jajati Keshri of Shomvansa.

The high walls of the temple are constructed by using red stones. The entrance of the temple is on east side. The entrance gate is called Sinhadwar (lion gate). The statue of two lions side by side grabbing elephant with their feet.

The four components, as said above are Garbhagriha or Vimana jagmohana ( assembly hall ), Natyashala ( festival hall ), and Bhogmandapa ( place of offerings ). Vimana is the place where the Lingam is situated. Natyashala is an indication of DEVDASI pratha at that time.

Bhuvneshwara is known as Ekmara kheshtra (area). Ekmara literally means mango tree. Initially and originally Lingraj was situated under a mango tree.

Legend

The Lingam inside the temple is a rough, natural, unshaped stone. Such Lingam is called KRUTIBASA or SWAYAMBHU Lingam in Hindu religion.

There is an interesting story behind the temple. Once Parwati went Bhuvneshawar in guise of a cow herd to explore that place. Kruti and Basa were the two Demons who wanted to marry Parvati. Even after the hard refusal by Mata Parvati the Demons still continued to pursue her. Now Mata Parvati requested the demon to carry her on their shoulder.The demons did accordingly. Now Mata sstarted to increase her weight to the extent to crush the demons.This way the demons were killed.

The goddess Parvati became tired thirsty after killing the Demons. Lord Shiva then created a lake to quench her thirst. The lake is now known as Bindusagar lake and took abode here.

There is an island in the center of the lake where small temples are situated. Once in a year Lingraj himself brought for rituals and ablution. According to Hindu belief an underground river originates from the Lingraj temple and fills the Bindusagar lake.

Pilgrims take holy dip with this believes that the physical and spiritual illness will be remved by the holy water of the lake.

Festivals and Rituals

Shivaratri

Shivratri is the main festival celebrated here in Hindi month Falgun ( generally falls in March-April ). During Shivratri festival the number of devotees counts in lacs.

This shows the devotion of hindus towards their deity.The devotees enjoy the festival by praying his deity with Bhajan and Kirtans (religious songs) all overnight. They also do fast in Shivratri and usually break their fast after Mahadipa (a huge lamp) is lit on the spire of the temple.

Shrawan Mela

In the Hindi month Shrawan (july – august) thousands of devotees sounding Bol-Bam carry water from Mahanadi river and offer it on Lingam.

Sunian Day

Sunian Day is a 22 day festival, observed from the Royal period in the month of Bhadra (Hindi month) in which the land owners of the temple, servants working inside, local farmers took part in this celebration.

This is also known as sandal wood ceremony. Dances, communal feast and group marriage ceremony are arranged on this occasion. These all things are arranged by the local people.

Rath Yatra (chariot festival)

Rath Yatra is celebrated on Ashokastami. The Deity is taken on a chariot to Rameshwar Deula temple. A huge gathering of the devotees pull and follow the chariot having the beautifully decorated idols of the Deity with his sister Rukmini.

Places to visit nearby

Bhuvneshwar (Lingraj temple), Puri(Jagannath temple) and Konark (Sun temple), constitute a golden triangle in Odisha. All the temples are ancient and worth visiting

PURI

Jagannath temple Puri is situated 60 km away from Bhuvneshwar. It is an ancient and world famous temple and included as one of four DHAMS of Hindu religion. The other three dhams are Badrinath, Dwarika, Rameshwaram. This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu.

Konark Temple

Konark Temple

Konark temple is basically a Sun Temple constructed by the King Narshimhadev 1 of eastern ganga Dynasty in 13 th century. 

The shape of the temple like a chariot with elaborately carved stone wheels. At present the temple is in Time worn condition but highlights the glory of ancient time. It is among the NDTV’S and Times of India’s list of Seven Wonders of India.

Ravindranath Tagore quotes about this temple –

Here the language of stone surpasses the language of man.

Udaygiri Khandgiri caves

Udaygiri Khandgiri caves are situated in Bhuvneshwar town on two hills Udaygiri and Khandgiri ayare of archeological, historical and religios importance. Very interesting to visit

Rajarani Temple

Rajarani temple is a 11 th century temple located in Bhuvneshawar. Local people call it a LOVE TEMPLE due to its erotic carvings of women and couples.

There is no idols or images inside the temple and hence it is not associated with any sect.,but interesting to visit such a temple without God.

Where to Stay

Bhuuvneshwar is the capital city of Odisha. there are so many Hotels of every budget are easily available for comfortable stay.

Budget Hotels

Hotel Presidency, Patra Guest House, Saraswati Rtreat, The Bari International are budget hotels below Rs1500/- INR per day.

Star Hotels 

Hotel Trident, Hotel Pal height, Hotel Kalinga Ashoke, Hotel New marrion etc are high budget hotels above Rs 3000/-INR per day. 

How to Reach

By Rail

Bhuvneshwar is well connected by rail from every corner of India. One can reach here easily.

By Road

Bhubneshwar is well connected by road from Bihar, Bengal, Jharkhand and South India.

By Air

The nearest airport is Bhuvneshwar. Flights for Major cities of India are available.