The visit to this Sri Lingaraj
Temple at Bhubaneswar, Odisha was a part of the “Kalinga and Ottara Desa Heritage
Walk” organized by சோழ மண்டல வரலாற்றுத் தேடல் குழு, between 13th to 18th September 2024. The purpose of this Heritage walk was to see the places,
monuments, etc., which are directly or indirectly connected as a proof of
Rajendra Chozha’s victory mentioned in his meikeerthi/title over Kalinga and
Ottara Desa, the present Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.
Lingaraja Temple is a Hindu
temple dedicated to Shiva and is one of the oldest temples in Bhubaneswar, the
capital of the East Indian state of Odisha. Lingaraja literally means the king
of Lingam, the iconic form of Shiva. Shiva was originally worshiped as
Kirtivasa and later as Harihara and is commonly referred to as Tribhuvaneshwara
(also called Bhubaneswar), The Lingaraja temple is the largest in
Bhubaneswar. This place is also known as Ekambara Sthalam
Moolavar : Sri Tribhuvaneswar
Consort : Sri Tribhuvaneswari, Parvati
Some of the salient features
of this temple are…..
The temple faces east with an entrance
through east side mandapa. Shiva Linga is of swayambhu little large in the
Sanctum Sanctorum on a round avudayar.
There are more than 50 Sub
Shrines in the Complex, which consists of both Shiva, Maha Vishnu, and Sakthi
Temple. Some of them are... Nageswar Temple, Ganapati Temple, Baba Biswanath
Temple, Durga temple, Shree Ganesh Temple, Ekadari Mahadev Temple, Viswakarma
Temple, Jaganath Temple, Somnath Temple, Sivakali Temple, Kasi Viswanath
Temple, Parvati Temple (A separate temple with Sanctum Sanctorum, Jagmohana and
Nata mandapa ), Kasi Viswanath Temple, Agora Sakthi ( Kali ) Temple, Sthya
Narayana Temple, Tara Kesava temple, Ugreswara Temple, Karthikeya Temple (
Karthikeya with his consorts and a Peacock Vahana is in front of the Sanctum
Sanctorum ), Dakshina Kali Temple, Kabileswara Temple, Ekambareswara Temple,
Virupaksha Temple, Gara Temple, Bhuvaneswara Temple, Shasra Linga, Amarnath
Temple, Ishaneswara Temple, Batakeswara Temple, Pashana Durga Temple, and
Lakshmi Narayana Temple.
ARCHITECTURE
The temple was built in the
Deula style and has four structures, namely Sanctum Sanctorum, Jagamohana,
Nata mandapa, and Bhoga mandapa. Adhistanam is like oorthuva/upwards lotus petals. The
Vimanam over the Sanctum Sanctorum is of 10 talas, measuring to a height of 180
ft. (55 m). The temple represents the quintessence of the Kalinga architecture
and culminating the medieval stages of the architectural tradition at
Bhubaneswar. The Nata mandapa is a flat plain roof without Vimana.
Lingaraja temple, the epitome
of the temple architecture in Bhubaneswar, was constructed in the
eleventh-twelfth century. It is enclosed in a 140m (434 ft) wide and 150m (465
ft.) long rectangular high 38 meters. The main deity is the combination of Siva
and Vishnu. Subsidiary shrines are attached to the main sanctum exterior on the
north, south, and west.
The exterior sidewalls are
carved with decorative elements, and lovely females and couples engage in sex on
the exterior walls. Its roof is relatively flat, sloping in stages. There are
thick pylons inside the Natamandira similar to the pylons on the platform of
the dance hall at Konarak. The 30m (93 ft.) high jagamohan has entrances on the north and south. The exterior walls are extensively decorated. The pyramidal
roof of the jagamohan with several horizontal layers is separated into two
units similar to the bhoga mandapa roof. The façade of both units is decorated
with chaitya windows with a lion sitting on its hind legs on top of the window.
The inverted bell above the second unit is decorated with a kalasa and lions.
The massive tall tower of the jagamohan was constructed by successively
superimposing vertical chambers, complete with floor and ceiling. The tower
walls are embellished with lovely females standing in various moods and poses
with three body bends.
The massive 60m (186 ft.) tall
pyramidal tower on the sanctum was constructed similarly to the pidha roof of
the jagamohan. It is covered with decorative designs and seated lions
projecting from the walls. The round, flat, ribbed amalaka and kalasa above are
supported by squatting figures. The sanctum is square inside. The temple is
dedicated to Harihara,
Agni is carved more frequently.
A Buddha-like carving in a niche is flanked by mythological animals. Most of
the deeply carved attractive females are standing in elaborately carved
surroundings with three body bends/Three bangha, displaying their best
features, engaged in actions like carrying a baby, caressing a bird, and applying
vermilion to their foreheads.
Some of the lovely females are
standing under open flowers, flanking a goddess who stands under a cobra hood.
The open garment makes the sculpture most attractive and endearing.
The walls, carved with
detailed delicate decorations, are adorned with deities, females playing
guitar, dancers with groups of musicians, and erotic couples — one masturbating
her lover. She is looking at him with her head thrown back, her face full of
expectation and love. Beside them, a mother is feeding a baby from her bloated
breast, holding the baby on the thigh of her bent leg.
A lovely damsel with three
body bends is holding a tree branch in a highly decorated niche and another
beauty is entertaining a male with flute music. Another full-bodied damsel is
standing with stretched torso, exposing her feminine charms.
Another damsel has stretched
her body by extending her hands behind her head resulting in a push of her round
firm breasts all the way out in front (Fig. 3.39). One sensual female with a full
firm bust, narrow waist, round hips, and long legs with plump thighs visible
through her diaphanous gown is holding her open lower garment; it is not clear
whether she is tying the garment to her waist or undoing it to drop it to the
floor. Her downcast eyes, the mischievous sweet smile on her square face, and
the act of holding.
The Somavamsi originally
dedicated the temple to Siva. They were replaced by the Ganga dynasty in 1078.
During the Ganga dynasty, the Vaishnava became dominant and the presiding deity
of the temple was changed from Siva to Harihara.
It is constructed on a high
plinth. The Rekha duel is 18.3 (57 ft.) high with decorative features like the
bho. There are subsidiary shrines near the sanctum. The deities installed in
the sanctum are Krishna, Balarama, and Subhadra, sister of Krishna. The central
projections of the jagamohan have carvings of slim, tall, lovely maidens in
body bends. In a group that resembles the carvings on the Lingaraja temple, the
goddess in the center is standing under a naga hood while other lovely damsels
stand under bunches of leaves. The hands of most of the females are broken.
Harihara, the main deity is
the combination of Siva and Vishnu. Garuda, the vehicle of Vishnu, was given a
place on the votive column in front of the bhoga mandapa beside the bull. A
number of Vaishnava rites became part of the worship at the temple. Ganga kings
and their officers have left records of grants to Lingaraja temple.
Parvati temple is located in
the compound of the Lingaraja temple. The temple was perhaps constructed during
the reign of Ganga king Bhanudeva (1264-1279). It is similar to Lingaraja
temple in design, decoration, and plasticity of sculpture. The pyramidal tower
and jagamohan have an exuberantly treated surface resembling the decoration of
the Muktesvara temple. The decorative sculpture includes pilasters entwined
with beautiful naga and nagini, mythological lions, and damsels displaying their
charms. The central projection on the tower is carved with the images of
deities (from which Parvati is missing). One of the balustrade windows on the
south side of the jagamohan has been converted into a door. Chandradevi,
daughter of Anangabhima-III, in 1278 constructed the Ananta-Vasudeva temple
(near the Lingaraja temple) during the reign of Ganga king Bhanudeva. The
temple with four units, similar to Lingaraja temple, is dedicated to Vishnu.
A balustrade window is carved
with images of Rama, Lakshmana, Sita, Hanuman, and a monkey attendant. Most of
the niches are badly worn due to the softness of the stone. The courtyard of
the temple now serves as a kitchen for the priests and devotees. Some of the
sculptures are Gaja Yazhi, Vajra Masthaka,
Mandapa pillars are square
without ornamental works. Most of the
Sub Shrines are built with sandstone and laterite stone.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
It is believed that the
original temple belongs to the 6th Century, and was later rebuilt by the
kings from the Somavamsi Dynasty, with later additions from the Ganga rulers. But
some historians believe that Jajati Keshari, (615 – 675 CE) built this temple
in in 7th Century. Some claim that the temple Sanctum Sanctorum
was built in the 11th Century. Nata mandapa was built by the wife of
Salini between 1099 to 1104 CE.
An inscription from the Saka
year 1094 (1172 CE) indicates gifts of gold coins to the temple by Rajaraja-II.
Another inscription of
Narasimha I from the 11th century indicates the offer of beetel leaves
as tambula to the presiding deity.
Other stone inscriptions in
the temple indicate royal grants from Chodaganga to the nearby village people.
Parvati temple is located in the
compound of the Lingaraja temple. The temple was perhaps constructed during the
reign of Ganga king Bhanudeva (1264-1279 CE).
Chandradevi, daughter of
Anangabhima-III, in 1278 CE constructed the Ananta-Vasudeva temple (near the
Lingaraja temple) during the reign of Ganga king Bhanudeva.
According to the Bhubaneśvar
inscription, now in the Royal Asiatic Society, Narasimha's brother-in-law, the
Haihaya Prince Paramardin, fell fighting the battles of the King. Paramardin
had married Chandrika, a daughter of Anangabhima-II. This Chandrikā built a
temple of Vishņu at Bhubaneśvar in the Saka year 1200-1278 CE, during the reign
of her brother's grandson, Narasimha II. A work on Alankara called Ekāvali was
composed in the reign of Narasimha-I by a person named Vidyādhara in which
Narasimha is called "The master of the kingdom.
Lingaraja temple is being
maintained by the Temple Trust Board and the Archaeological Survey of India
(ASI).
Ref
2. A book on the History of
Orissa by R D Banerji.
3. World Heritage Monuments and
Related Edifices in India
LEGENDS
As per the 13th
Century “Ekamra Purana”, written in Sanskrit, the Moolavar, or a Main Deity
Shiva Linga, was found under the Mango Tree. Hence this place was called Ekamra Kshetra. Shiva of this temple is worshipped in the form of Harihara, ie
the fusion of Shiva and Maha Vishnu. Even, though the main temple is dedicated
to Shiva, more than 50 numbers of Parivara Sannidhis are in this temple complex.
Both Shiva and Maha Vishnu Sannidhis are there in the same Complex.
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart from Regular poojas Maha
Shivaratri, 22 days Chandan Yatra or Chandan ceremony, Ashokashtami or Rukana
Rath Yatra, are celebrated in the month of Chaitra on Shukla Ashtami and are celebrated in a grand manner.
TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple will kept open
between 06.00 hrs to 21.00 hrs with a break of 12.30 hrs to 15.30 hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS
Phone No: 0674-2433306
HOW TO REACH
Sri Lingaraj Temple is about 5
km from Biju Patnaik International Airport, 31 km from Cuttack, 56 KM from Puri
Jagannath Temple, 59 km from Konark Sun Temple,
The Nearest Railway Station is
Lingaraj Temple Road is about 4 km.
NOTE:-
Most of the Pictures are taken from Web site and Temple's website. Thanks to the un known Photographers
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
