The Bhrama Purana refers to Bhubaneswar, a revered pilgrimage centre and ancient capital of Kalinga, as Ekamra Kshetra, meaning ‘mango orchards.’ The Oriyan capital, the ‘city of temples,’ named after Tribhuvaneswar, ‘Lord of Three Worlds,’ still preserves over 500 of India’s finest temples. Together with Puri and Konark, Bhubaneswar forms the ‘golden triangle,’ one of the most sought-after tourist destinations in East India. The Ekamra Utsav is a festival that showcases the rich heritage of Odisha with art, handicrafts, dance, music and cuisine.
Lingaraja Temple
The sprawling 10th-century Lingaraja Temple, made from red sandstone, is an exceptional specimen of the Oriya style of temple building, built by the Somavanshi king, Jajati Keshari. It boasts a spacious courtyard bounded by fortified walls and covers over 250,000 sq ft, and contains 50 smaller shrines dedicated to the Hindu pantheon. Its elaborately carved 180-foot tower dominates the city’s skyline. The sanctum sanctorum of the main temple is adorned with a massive shivling in granite. It is regarded as ‘Swayambhu’ or self-manifested and is worshipped as Hari-Hara, as both Vishnu and Shiva. While the image of Lingaraja is taken in procession to the Jalamandir in the centre of the Bindu Sagar lake once a year, 22 worship services are offered each day to the deity.
The sprawling 10th-century Lingaraja Temple, made from red sandstone, is an exceptional specimen of the Oriya style of temple building, built by the Somavanshi king, Jajati Keshari. It boasts a spacious courtyard bounded by fortified walls and covers over 250,000 sq ft, and contains 50 smaller shrines dedicated to the Hindu pantheon. Its elaborately carved 180-foot tower dominates the city’s skyline. The sanctum sanctorum of the main temple is adorned with a massive shivling in granite. It is regarded as ‘Swayambhu’ or self-manifested and is worshipped as Hari-Hara, as both Vishnu and Shiva. While the image of Lingaraja is taken in procession to the Jalamandir in the centre of the Bindu Sagar lake once a year, 22 worship services are offered each day to the deity.
Rajarani Temple
This 11th-century temple derives its name from rajarani, a type of red sandstone used in its construction. The east- facing shrine, which is bereft of any idols, displays the architectural magnificence of the old Kalinga sculptures.
This 11th-century temple derives its name from rajarani, a type of red sandstone used in its construction. The east- facing shrine, which is bereft of any idols, displays the architectural magnificence of the old Kalinga sculptures.
It reveals multiple scroll work, and is somewhat different from other temples in the city and marks a different phase in the evolution of Oriyan temple architecture. Its spire with multiple sub-spires bears semblance to the temples at Khajuraho. The temple’s most outstanding and best- preserved treasures are the standing astadikpalas on the central façade, standing on lotuses with their mounts below. The temple attracts visitors in droves during the Rajarani Music Festival which is part of the larger Ekamra Utsav held in December.
Siddheswar -Mukteswar Temples
The twin temples of Siddheswar-Mukteswar within a single complex date back to the 10th century and stand as a significant transition point between the early and later phases of the Kalinga architectural style of temple building.
The 35-foot Mukteswar temple, built of sandstone, is considered one of the crowning glories of Oriyan architecture. The temples display an aesthetic blend of Hindu, Buddhist and Jain architecture, especially in their detailed carvings which narrate tales from the Panchatantra and carry animal figurines. The temple’s jagmohana or porch is a masterpiece, bedecked with an eight-petalled lotus carved ceiling. The standing figure of Ganesha is majestic and arresting in the Siddheswar Temple, the sanctum of which is built in the pancha ratha style, surrounded by five- divisional walls. The walls themselves are decorated with ornamental motifs and consist of seven mouldings. ‘Hers of miniature turrets adorn the temple tower which holds aloft four lions, one on each corner.
The twin temples of Siddheswar-Mukteswar within a single complex date back to the 10th century and stand as a significant transition point between the early and later phases of the Kalinga architectural style of temple building.
The 35-foot Mukteswar temple, built of sandstone, is considered one of the crowning glories of Oriyan architecture. The temples display an aesthetic blend of Hindu, Buddhist and Jain architecture, especially in their detailed carvings which narrate tales from the Panchatantra and carry animal figurines. The temple’s jagmohana or porch is a masterpiece, bedecked with an eight-petalled lotus carved ceiling. The standing figure of Ganesha is majestic and arresting in the Siddheswar Temple, the sanctum of which is built in the pancha ratha style, surrounded by five- divisional walls. The walls themselves are decorated with ornamental motifs and consist of seven mouldings. ‘Hers of miniature turrets adorn the temple tower which holds aloft four lions, one on each corner.
Hirapur Chausath Yogini Temple
At the time when parts of ancient India were in the throes of the tantric cult, the central and eastern regions of the country witnessed the construction of numerous mystifying open air shrines. The Chausath Yogini Temple at Hirapur, which lies in close proximity to Bhubaneswar, is one of only four such surviving temples. The ninth-century hypaethral shrine, a circular-shaped edifice with no roof, is dedicated to 64 female spirits or ‘yoginis.’ Locally known as Mahamaya Mandir, the east-facing temple was discovered by Kedarnath Mahapatra of the Odisha State Museum in 1953. While the 10-armed Mahamaya Devi is the presiding deity, one of the most interesting and exceptional sculptures in the temple is that of Ekapada Shiva, or one-legged Shiva.
At the time when parts of ancient India were in the throes of the tantric cult, the central and eastern regions of the country witnessed the construction of numerous mystifying open air shrines. The Chausath Yogini Temple at Hirapur, which lies in close proximity to Bhubaneswar, is one of only four such surviving temples. The ninth-century hypaethral shrine, a circular-shaped edifice with no roof, is dedicated to 64 female spirits or ‘yoginis.’ Locally known as Mahamaya Mandir, the east-facing temple was discovered by Kedarnath Mahapatra of the Odisha State Museum in 1953. While the 10-armed Mahamaya Devi is the presiding deity, one of the most interesting and exceptional sculptures in the temple is that of Ekapada Shiva, or one-legged Shiva.
Konark Sun Temple
The Konark Sun Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was constructed in the 13th century by King Narasimhadeva. It was conceived as an ode to the Sun God in the form of a chariot. It stands on 24 intricately sculpted stone wheels of gargantuan proportions and is hauled by seven mighty horses. The edifice is embellished with a profusion of sculptures on its interior and exterior walls. Three surviving images of Surya are designed to capture the rays of the sun at dawn, noon and sunset. It took the labour of 1,200 artisans and 12 years to complete. Rabindranath Tagore wrote of Konark: “Here the language of stone surpasses the language of man.” During the annual Konark Dance Festival, held against the backdrop of the temple, Konark becomes a veritable smorgasbord of art and culture.
The Konark Sun Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was constructed in the 13th century by King Narasimhadeva. It was conceived as an ode to the Sun God in the form of a chariot. It stands on 24 intricately sculpted stone wheels of gargantuan proportions and is hauled by seven mighty horses. The edifice is embellished with a profusion of sculptures on its interior and exterior walls. Three surviving images of Surya are designed to capture the rays of the sun at dawn, noon and sunset. It took the labour of 1,200 artisans and 12 years to complete. Rabindranath Tagore wrote of Konark: “Here the language of stone surpasses the language of man.” During the annual Konark Dance Festival, held against the backdrop of the temple, Konark becomes a veritable smorgasbord of art and culture.
Puri Jagannath Temple
One of the Char Dhams or four sacred places of worship, the temple of Jagannath in Puri is built on a gigantic raised platform in the heart of the city. The temple complex is enclosed by a wall that is pierced by four gates with pyramidal structures over them. The east-facing Lions Gate leads to a vast open area, in the centre of which is the 11-metre-high monolithic pillar, known locally as the Aruna Stambha, with the figure of Aruna, the Sun God’s charioteer. This pillar was once in front of the Sun Temple in Konark. It was brought to Pun during the 18th century. Sprawled across 10.7 acres, the temple complex, built in the Kalinga style, is enclosed by two walls—the outer Meghanada Prachira, and the inner Kurma Bheda. The main sanctum is surrounded by 30 shrines of varying sizes. At the acme of the temple tower is the Nila Chakra or blue wheel, crafted from an alloy of eight metals, to which is attached the temple flag.
One of the Char Dhams or four sacred places of worship, the temple of Jagannath in Puri is built on a gigantic raised platform in the heart of the city. The temple complex is enclosed by a wall that is pierced by four gates with pyramidal structures over them. The east-facing Lions Gate leads to a vast open area, in the centre of which is the 11-metre-high monolithic pillar, known locally as the Aruna Stambha, with the figure of Aruna, the Sun God’s charioteer. This pillar was once in front of the Sun Temple in Konark. It was brought to Pun during the 18th century. Sprawled across 10.7 acres, the temple complex, built in the Kalinga style, is enclosed by two walls—the outer Meghanada Prachira, and the inner Kurma Bheda. The main sanctum is surrounded by 30 shrines of varying sizes. At the acme of the temple tower is the Nila Chakra or blue wheel, crafted from an alloy of eight metals, to which is attached the temple flag.
The temple of Jagannath is considered one of the tallest monuments in the Indian subcontinent and rises 214 feet from the ground. The construction of the monument was initiated by King Chora Ganga Deva and completed during the reign of his 12th-century descendnt, Ananga Bhima Deva. The Rath Yatra in June-July is the temple’s flagship festival.
Barabati Fort
The once glorious nine-storeyed palace within the 14th- century Barabati Fort in Cuttack on the bank of the Mahanadi is today a mound of ruins but for its gate, moat and a mosque. One can catch glimpses of the walls of the fort, built of sandstone and latenite. The gate still reveals some attractive carvings. The fort became an Archaeological Survey of India- protected site in 1915.
Deemed the culmination of the art and architecture of Odisha, it reveals a square plan, spread over 102 acres and surrounded by a paved moat of uniform dimensions. Flanking the mound of ruins in the centre are the Shahi Mosque and mazar of Hazrat Ali Bukhari. Purushottamdeva, the son of the Suryavanshi king, Kapilendradeva, brought an idol of Lord Krishna from Andhra Pradesh and installed it in a temple in the font. However, only a portion of the temple remains. Next to the fort ruins is the Barabati Stadium and close by is the Katak Chandi temple.
The once glorious nine-storeyed palace within the 14th- century Barabati Fort in Cuttack on the bank of the Mahanadi is today a mound of ruins but for its gate, moat and a mosque. One can catch glimpses of the walls of the fort, built of sandstone and latenite. The gate still reveals some attractive carvings. The fort became an Archaeological Survey of India- protected site in 1915.
Deemed the culmination of the art and architecture of Odisha, it reveals a square plan, spread over 102 acres and surrounded by a paved moat of uniform dimensions. Flanking the mound of ruins in the centre are the Shahi Mosque and mazar of Hazrat Ali Bukhari. Purushottamdeva, the son of the Suryavanshi king, Kapilendradeva, brought an idol of Lord Krishna from Andhra Pradesh and installed it in a temple in the font. However, only a portion of the temple remains. Next to the fort ruins is the Barabati Stadium and close by is the Katak Chandi temple.
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