Lingaraj Temple - Full details of Lingaraj Temple [2019]

Overview of Lingaraj Temple

LINGARAJ TEMPLE is a temple of followers of Hinduism where devotees worship Lord Shiva who is one of the Trinity as per the Hindu thoughts. The location of the LINGARAJ TEMPLE is at Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha, the eastern state of India.

Lingaraj Temple

It is the best places to visit in Bhubaneswar. This temple is a very attractive place for visitors and tourist coming from a different place in India. The exact location of the temple is at Lingaraj Nagar, Lingaraj Temple road, Old Town, Bhubaneswar one of the most famous landmarks of Bhubaneswar.

The height of the central tower of the temple is 55-meters from the ground. This shrine is one of the largest temples of Odisha and the largest temple of Bhubaneswar, the city of temples. Some people believe that the rulers of somavams built some parts of the temple.

Front of Lingaraj Temple

The rulers of somavams completed the construction work of the LINGARAJ TEMPLE when the Ganga rulers started the construction of Jagannath temple. Actually, the Ganga rulers were the followers of Jagannath community.

A small Description of the Lingaraj Temple

The temple has main four parts and 50 other temples. A large boundary surrounds the Lingaraj temple and also protects it. The four components are vimana,jagamohana,natamandira, and bhogamandapa.

Vimana is the main shrine where people worship the deity of the temple, Jagmohan is the meeting hall,natamandira is the function room, and bhogamandap is the kitchen and dining hall of the temple.

Lingaraj Temple Top Part

Presence of these four parts indicates that rulers of Somavams built the temple as per the Deula style, the style of Odisha and the eastern India style.The temple is a typical example of Kalinga architecture. This also tells about the development of Kalinga architectural tradition.

The priests of the temple perform about 22 worship services  each day in the temple. Hence the LINGARAJ TEMPLE is very active in worship services than other temples of Bhubaneswar.

Lord Harihara

The Hindu mythological thought Ekamra Purana tells that, Ekamravan is a forest where only one mango tree is present and is a special residence of God Shiva and Goddess Parvati.So other name of  Bhubaneswar is Ekamra Kshetra. The other name of  linga of Lord Shiva  'Swayambhu', the self-originated form of Lingaraj. People worship Swayambhu as both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu.

Lord Harihara

It also believes that during the time of finishing of construction work of LINGARAJ TEMPLE the Ganga rulers started Jagannath culture in Odisha. Growing of Jagannath culture in Odisha may be the reason for the presence of images of Lord Vishnu in the temple.

To manage and maintain the LINGARAJ TEMPLE, Temple Trust Board has been created. Archaeological Survey of India also maintains the temple. The Temple Trust Board has made certain rules to control daily visitors coming to the temple.

The Rules Which Are Made By Temple Trust Board Are :

• Non-Hindus can not enter inside the temple.
• Visitors can not take any photos inside the temple.
• Remove your shoes before entering the temple.
• Keep away your mobile, camera, bags, electronic devices, bags, and other leather made garbage.
• It is important to always keep in mind that, stay away from anyone who offers the services of puja, except the temple priest.

LINGARAJ TEMPLE receives 6000 of tourists and local people per day. During the special days mainly in Shivaratri, Chandan Yatra, Ratha Yatra festivals there are about lakhs of visitors get together at a time.

In  Mahashivaratri of the year 2012, there are about 200,000 visitors had celebrated Mahashivaratri in the Lingaraj temple. The temple is actually erect as told by many historians. There is also a viewing platform for the non-Hindu because they can not enter inside the temple. This viewing platform provides a good view to the temple.

About the deity of the Lingaraj Temple

In the ancient time, people worshiped  Lord Shiva as kirtivasa. After some decades of years, people worshiped as Tribhubaneswar. Tribhuvaneswar is a word which combines the form of Lord Narayana and Lord Shiva. Also, the other name of Tribhubaneswar Harihara and Goddess Bhuvaneswari is the companion of Lord Tribhuvaneswar.

The word Bhuvaneswari is a compound of two words Bhuvana and Iswari. The real meaning is the Goddess of the world or the Queen of the universe. The word Tibhuvana combines the three regions which are bhuh means the earth,bhuvah means the atmosphere, svah means the heavens. So Tribhuvaneswar is the master of these three regions means the whole universe and Goddess Bhuvaneswari is the Queen of the world.

Lingaraj Temple History

In some of the Sanskrit texts of the seventh century informs that LINGARAJ TEMPLE was built during the sixth century. But the present form indicates that it was built during the last decade of the eleventh century. James Fergusson who was an architectural historian believes that the construction of the temple might have been started in the sixth century. He believes that king Lalat Indu Keshari might have started the construction of the temple.

Jajati Keshari

The rulers of somavams built the main tower of the temple, sanctum, and Assembly hall during the eleventh century and built Bhoga-mandapa during the twelfth century. Natamandira was built in between 1099 and 1104 CE. It  believes that the wife of Salini built Natamandira.

Jajati Keshari

It is elegant, of course, for art had not yet perished among the Hindus, but it differs from the style of the porch to which it is attached more than the leanest example of Tudor art differs from the vigour and grace of building of the early Edwards.

All that power of expression is gone which enabled the early architects to make small things look gigantic from the exuberance of labor bestowed upon them. A glance of Nata-mandir is sufficient for the mastery of its details. A week's study of the Jaganmohan would reveal new beauties every hour.

Relation between the Lingaraj Temple and the Jagannath Temple

When the construction of LINGARAJ TEMPLE was completed the Jagannath community had been growing in the locality of the temple. So historians believe that the co-existence of Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva in the LINGARAJ TEMPLE is due to the development of Jagannath community at that time.

It believes that Anantavaman Chodganga is the founder of Ganga dynasty. It  believes that he had  ruled from the Ganga River in the north to the Godavari River in the south of him. Thus it is evident that he is the founder of Eastern Ganga dynasty. He built built the Jagannath Temple during his rule.

Shree Mandira is a famous temple of followers of Hinduism where people worship Lord Jagannath. There must be a relation between the Shree Jagannath Temple of Puri and LINGARAJ TEMPLE Bhubaneswar.

Mythological Thought about the Lingaraj Temple

The Skanda Purana and the Chaitanya Bhagavata also describe about LINGARAJ TEMPLE. The Purushottama-khanda of the Skanda Purana and the Antya-khanda of the Chaitanya Purana describe the glories of Bhubaneswar as follows:

Lord Siva and Maa Sati

Long long years ago Lord Shiva married Sati. Sati was the beautiful daughter of Prajapati Daksha. Because Lord Shiva often remained separate from luxuriousness and the affairs of the material world.King Daksha treat Lord Shiva as a very poor person.to counteract this and please Sati, Lord Shiva built Kashi on the bank of Ganga. The city had many opulent palaces. Lord Shiva and Goddess Sati made Kashi as their resident for long years. Because Kashi was a calm place. The seekers are the inhabitants to liberate from the material world.

Lord Krishna Killed Sudakshina

During the Dvapara Yuga, there lived a king named Paundraka, who challenged Lord Krishna to fight but Srikrishna  ultimately killed him in the battlefield. During that battle Lord Sri Krishna also killed Kashiraja who is the king of Kashi because he was from the side of Paundraka.

Lord Krishna specifically threw the head of Kashiraja into Kashi so that his relatives and family members could see the consequence of his enmity with Lord Sri Krishna, the master of the whole universe. The name of the dearest son of the king of Kashi is Sudakshina.

After observing the funeral of his father, he took a promise to kill Sri Krishna. Therefore he began to worship Lord Shiva. He performed a severe mortification with vengeance with his heart to please Lord Shiva and to get boons from Him.

The severe mortification of Sudakshina pleased God Shiva. Then Lord Shiva appeared before him to offer him boons. Sudakshina prayed Lord Shiva to give him the power and potential to destroy Lord Sri Krishna in the battlefield.

Since Sudakshina pleased Lord Shiva so Lord Shiva agreed to offer him a boon. Sudakshina wanted to kill Krishna and he prayed for extraordinary power to do so. Lord Shiva advised Sudakshina to perform the black ritualistic ceremony and invoke Dakshinagni who would execute any order given to him.

Sudakhina attacked Srikrishna .But he would not, however, kill a qualified brahmana. By getting advice from Lord Shiva, Sudakshina confidently performed the black ritualistic ceremony immediately. He originated a fierce Demon from the fire by his power. Sudakshina ordered him to go to Dwaraka with hundreds of Lord Shiva's ghostly compLord Shiva also followed the army with his Pasupatastra. When Dakshinagni entered into Dwaraka, all residents of Dwaraka get alarmed. They prayed Lord Sri Krishna to give them shelter.anions and to kill Srikrishna.

Lord Shiva also followed the army with his Pasupatastra. When Dakshinagni entered into Dwaraka, all residents of Dwaraka get alarmed. They prayed Lord Sri Krishna to give them shelter.

How Bhubaneswar Became the Residence of Lord Siva

The supreme personality Lord Sri Krishna invoked and ordered Sudarshana to vanquish the demon. Sudarshana chakra destroyed the demon and killed Sudakshina. Then the Chakra entered into Kashi and devastated the entire city by burning everything. Then Lord Shiva requested Lord Sri Krishna to provide him shelter as Krishna destroyed his residence. On the request of Lord Shiva, Lord Sri Krishna offered Ekamravana to Lord Shiva to reside. Lord Sri Krishna then narrated the glories of this place as follows:

Glories of Bhubaneswar

The name of the place is Ekamravana.In this idyllic surrounding, You will appear and people will worship you. This place will be spiritually elevated highly, but few will know this truth. Today I will reveal You the significance of Ekamravana, which is so dear to me. Nilachala is a favorite place of Lord Jagannath covering a large area on the shore of the ocean.The name of the place is Purushottam Kshetra, the abode of Sri Jagannatha.

It has the most pleasing and peaceful atmosphere. Even in the time of cosmic annihilation, this place remains intact, unscathed. The place I have designated as your residence lies north of my abode, Jagannath Puri. Your place is very very beautiful and charming. Here one can easily attain liberation and bliss.

Bhubaneswar is famous place as it is a resident of Lord Shiva. Lord Sri Krishna advised to Lord Shiva to Protect His Dhama always. Lord Krishna requested to Lord Shiva to stay always in Bhubaneswar to make him pleased.People woship Lord Shiva and Goddess in Bhubaneswar. This is the real story of how Lord Shiva made Bhubaneswar as His resident.

Uncertainty about the builder of the Lingaraj Temple

According to some accounts, it is believed that during the 11th century CE Somavanshi king Yayati(I) have built the temple. One of the Somavamshi queens donated a village to the temple and Brahmins attached to the temple received generous grants. Jajati Keshari shifted . his capital from Jajpur to Bhubaneswar which is also known as Ekamra Kshetra.

Royal grants from Chodaganga to the near village people is pointed out by a stone petrograph of the temple. A special inscription of Narasimha(I) from the 11th century indicates an offer of beetle leaves as tamula to the presiding deity. Another evident is that it is mentioned that Yayati(I) had no time to build the temple and it should have been initiated by his sons Ananta Keshari and Udyota Keshari. Because Yayati(I) had ruled from 1025 CE to 1040CE. The argument provided against the view is that a weak successor like him could not have constructed such an impressively beautiful temple

Lingaraj Temple Architecture

The LINGARAJ TEMPLE is constructed in the remarkable Kalinga style of architecture(Kalinga architecture). according to LINGARAJ TEMPLE height the temple is the largest temple in Bhubaneswar . According to many great historians, the temple is one of the finest examples of purely Hindu temple in India. It is preserved within a large compound wall of laterite, a reddish clayey material, of length 520 ft and of breath 465 ft. The wall is 7.5 ft thick.

Lingaraj Temple Architecture

There is a porch close to the inner face of the boundary wall to protect the compound wall against outside invasion. The main tower of the temple is 45.11m high. The temple complex has 150 smaller shrines in its large area. Each inch of the tower of the temple is sculptured. At the entrance gate, there is a door which is made of sandalwood.

The LINGARAJ TEMPLE is constructed by a clastic sedimentary rock called Sandstone and a soil rock type rich in aluminum called Laterite. The face of the Linga raja is towards the east. The main entrance of the temple is situated in the east. There are also two entrances which are situated in the north and south.

Four parts of Lingaraj Temple

The Temple has four components namely, vimana which contain the sanctum, jagamohana which is assembly hall of the temple, natamandira which is the festival hall of the temple and bhogamandapa which is dining hall of the temple.

These four are in axial alignment with descending height. From this type of creation, it is cleared that the temple is built according to the Kalinga architecture style called Deula style. It is also believed that the development of popularity and reputation of the devadasi system during that time linked with the dance hall. The four components of the temple from bhogamandapa to the vimana increase in height.

The bhogamandapa

The bhogamandapa which is the hall of the offering has four doors on every side. The outside walls of the hall have attractive handmade statues of men and various animals. From the inside, the bhogamandapa measures 13 meters and from the outside, it measures 17.15 meters.Several horizontal layers are arranged to form a pyramidal roof which is present on the bhogamandapa. There is a bell which is put upside down and a kalasa on the top of the hall.

The Natamandira

The natamandira which is the festival hall has three entrances. Among these three entrances, one is the main entrance and the other two are side entrances. The outside wall of the natamandira is attached with attractive statues of men and couples. From the inside, natamandira measures 12 meters and from the outside, it measures 15 meters.

The Jagamohana

On the jagamohana which is the assembly hall, several horizontal layers are arranged to form a pyramidal roof. There are entering windows with lions seated on the posterior legs. From the south and north, the jagamohana has 30 meters tall roof. From the inside, the assembly hall measures 11 meters and from the outside, it measures 15 meters. The bell which is put in the opposite direction is beautified by lions and kalasa.

The Vimana

The shrine within the temple is square in shape from the inside. The walls of the tower are carved with pictures of the female in different states. Over the sanctum, there is a 60-meter pyramidal tower. From the inside, the tower over the sanctum measures 6.7m and from the outside, it measures 16 meters.

A Legend of the Temple

There is an interesting mythological true narrative which is :

Long long ago Lord Shiva asked Goddess Parvati about the reason for choosing Bhubaneswar as Her residence. Then Goddess Parvati said She had to give a different appearance to herself to find out the city. While She was investigating the city, She met two demons named Kirti and Vasa.

Actually, Kirti and Vasa wanted to marry Her. In spite of nonacceptance of the proposal of them, they followed Her. In order to protect herself from them, She killed the two demons. When Lord Shiva went down to Bhubaneswar, She created a Sagara named Bindu Sagar. Then they inhabited in Bhubaneswar forever.

Chaitanya Had Visited The Temple

Once Lord Chaitanya, personation of Lord Krishna came to Bhubaneswar as adorner. Then Sri Chaitanya went to Bindu Sagar and enhanced its auspiciousness by taking a bath in it. God Shiva always do  meditation of the Supreme Lord. Sri Chaitanya pleased to see the worship practices of the LINGARAJ TEMPLE. Lord Chaitanya started dancing with the devotees and spent a night there.

Religious Significance Of Lingaraj Temple

During Satya and Treta yugas, Lord Shiva did not form the lingam the aniconic form of Shiva. He form the lingam only during Dwapara and Kali yugas. A sanskrit text of the 13th century talls the above.

Lingam is  an unshaped stone that rests on a Sakti. In the early stage of the 12th-century the members Saivism and Vaishnavism formed a new synthesis because of the coming of Ganga dynasty who was a follower of Jagannath community when the construction of the temple was going on.

Bela leaves and milk are used for worshipping Lord LINGARAJ and Tulasi leaves are used for worshipping Lord Vishnu. Generally,in most of the Shiva temples, the flag of the temple is fixed to a trident bow which is the identity of a Shiva temple. But  in the LINGARAJ TEMPLE, the flag is fixed to a Pinaka bow.So the growing of Jagannath community during the construction of the temple has reduced the status of the temple as a distinct Shiva temple.

Bindu Sagara

The LINGARAJ TEMPLE is located on the waterside of the virtuous lake Bindu Sagar. Lord Shiva created this virtuous lake by collecting the water from all the virtuous rivers of India. The lake is encircled by the river Saraswati. It is explained in the 38 verse of chapter 21 of Bhagavata Purana.

Bindu Sagara

It also believes that hermit Kardama carried out a severe mortification to gain the grace of the Supreme Lord. The hermit pleased God Shiva by his severe mortification and then God appeared before him. Being merciful He shed tears. The tears created the Bindu sagara. The water of the virtuous lake is called as Shivamrita-jala.There are some salient features of drinking of the water from the Bindu Sagara. For example, the water from it can cure all dangerous disorders.

Religious Practices Of The Lingaraj Temple

Every day the devotees perform Mahasnana where they bathe the statue of Lord Shiva for more than once. Then they decorate the statue of the deity with flowers, the moist substance of sandalwood and attractive cloth. In daily worship, the priests use Bilva leaves and Tulasi. Worshiper offer coconut, kora-Khai and ripe plantains to Lord Shiva. Some of the worshipers offer beverages of Bhang to the deity of the temple in Pana Sankranti. Devotees can not offer hemlock flowers to the deity.

Festival In The Lingaraj Temple

The LINGARAJ TEMPLE celebrates a number of festivals as in the Jagannath of Puri.

Sivaratri

In the odia month Phalgun, the devotees celebrate Shivaratri every year as the main festival of the temple. Devotees take a full day of fasting on this auspicious day and submit Bilva leaves to Lord Shiva. The devotees continue praying the deity and keep on chanting all night long. At the night the major function takes place.

Sivaratri at Lingaraj Temple

Usually, one of the devotees lights the mahadipa at late night on the top of the shrine. After the lighting of the mahadipa, the devotees break their fasting. All the devotees keep awake all night.

Chandan Yatra

Chandan Yatra at Lingaraj Temple

This festival is celebrated in the temple for 22 days. In this auspicious day, the devotees apply Chandan wood paste on the statue of Lord Shiva and all deities of the temple. Then they take the statue of Lord Shiva and all the deities of the temple for a ride on a traditional scow.

Handi Bhanga Yatra

In this yatra, the devotees take the statues of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati in a pallaki to Kapilanath to get rid of the effect of Shani planet. The devotees prepare a celebration meal in a new soiled pot and take it with them. After the end of the offering of the celebration meal, they break the soiled pots. When Lord Shiva back to the temple He visits the Aisanyeshwar Temple.

Ashokastami

Ashtami

On the Chaitra Shukla Ashtami tithi, the devotees celebrate Ashokashtami in the temple. Lord Shiva goes to the Rameshwar temple for five days with Goddess Rukmini Devi and Lord Vasudeva. Rukmini Devi is the sister of Lord Shiva. When deities go back to the temple devotees push the
chariot from behind.

Prathamastami

On the eight days of black moonlight of the pausa month, the devotees celebrate Prathamashtami. In this festival, Lord Linga Raja goes to the temple of His maternal uncle Srimaiteshwa with Lord Vasudev and Goddess Parvati in an attractive chariot. The devotees offer varieties of sweet, new clothes and various flowers to Lord Shiva after the end of the puja.

Bolbom Celebration

During the month of Shravana the devotees of Bol Bom celebrate by the Bol Bom. The devotees carry water from the Mahanadi river and walk the whole path to dedicate the water brought by them on the Shiva Lingam.

Timings of the Lingaraj Temple 

• The opening time of the LINGARAJ TEMPLE is 2 am. But visitors can not enter inside the temple during this time. Then the priests of the temple perform the pujas as follow.

• From 6.00 am to 10.00 am devotees cannot take the darshan from the close distance and to touch the deity.
• The time period from 10.00 am to 11.00 am is time for preparing Anna Bhog with 56 items.
• After 11 am devotees cannot touch the deity. During this time the Brahmins perform Rudrabhisheka and Mahanyasa Rudrabhisheka.
• The next timings are as follows:

• During the time of Aarti, the devotees cannot touch the deity and they can only watch the deity from the far distance.10 Brahmins perform Mahanyasa Rudrabhisheka with annadan and only one Brahmin perform Rudrabhisheka.

Priest And Administration Of The Temple

There are three categories of priests of the LINGARAJ TEMPLE present in the temple. The categories are puja panda Nijag, Brahman Nijog, and Badu Nijog. In 62 chapter of the Ekamrapurana, it describes that the Badu are non-Brahmins group. The name of their caste is Niyoga. According to history, Badus performed five different kinds of temple duties.

They undergo three different rituals which are ear-piercing, marriage and God-touching. The police commissioner of Bhubaneswar gives protection to the temple. Archaeological survey of India and Temple trust board maintain the temple.

The income of LINGARAJ TEMPLE from hundis is about 12 lakhs per year as per 2011 calculation. The temple has other income sources like cycle stands, agriculture land and rents from near shops.

Lingaraj Temple FAQs

Who built Lingaraj Temple ?

Somovamsi king Jayati keshari built the Lingaraj temple in the 11th century. He was one of the rulers of somavams.

Where is Lingaraj Temple ?

Lingaraj temple is at Lingaraj Nagar, Lingaraj temple road,old town Bhubaneswar. This is a most prominent landmark of Bhubaneswar.

How to reach Lingaraj Temple ?

There are three ways to reach the Lingaraj temple. You can take a city bus or local bus from Bermunda bus-stand. The railway station is 6 kms away from the Lingaraj temple. The air port is 5 kms away from the temple.

Lingaraj Temple built by which dynasty?

Lingaraj temple was built by somavanshi dynasty. The somavanshi dynasty introduced a new style of architecture in odisha.

Lingaraj Temple in which state ?

The Lingaraj temple is located in Odisha. Odisha is the eastern state of India.

How many height of Lingaraj Temple ?

The height of the Lingaraj temple is 55 meters. It is the largest temple of Bhubaneswar.

How old is Lingaraj Temple ?
The present form of Lingaraj temple indicates that it is a 1000 years old temple. It was built in the 11th century.

why Lingaraj Temple famous ?
The Lingaraj temple is famous for Swayambhu. Swayambhu is the self originated form of Lord Lingaraj,the deity of the temple.

How to reach Lingaraj Temple from Bhubaneswar railway station ?
The railway station is 6 kms away from the Lingaraj temple. You can take city bus or auto rickshaw to reach the temple.

lingaraj temple which district ?
Lingaraj temple belongs to Khurda District. Khurda is the one of the developed district of Odisha.

Review by Local Guide and Visitor

Abhishek Das (Local Guide) -

Blissful, serenity and tranquility.

One of the major pilgrimage destination in Bhubaneswar. Its beauty, the artistic work, the surroundings and the allied are outstanding. There's magnetic attraction to visit this temple again and again. It is not only a holy place but also one of the best tourism place of Odisha.

Achu Marium John (Local Guide) -

It's a great architectural beauty. The entire temple is something worth watch for those who enjoys age old carvings and buildings. But the temple still has poojas going on, so no phones or bags or cameras allowed inside. No shoes too. If you really want to take a pic, there is a step like structure on the temple's left side outside the wall which you can climb to take pics. That's how I got mine😂

Kaushik Saha (Local Guide) -

Very beautiful temple to visit in Bhubaneswar. One can feel spiritualism in the premises. The main attraction for me was its untouched 1100 years structure. As per the info from locals, the temple never gone under repair work, still its beauty, elegance is something worth mentioning. Just sit inside the temple for hours, you can feel relaxed.

Pradestha Pattnaik (Visitor) -

A wonderful place that would must visited of Lord Shiva. Huge temple to worship the God of Dance" Lord Shiva". But one should not take shoes, bags, mobile phones, cameras & money etc to the temple..

These are prohibited temple

A must visiting place in the capital of Odisha, Bhubaneswar.

Deepnarayan Srivastava (Visitor) -

This temple is awesomely beautiful but you can't take pictures because camera or mobile phones are not allowed. In summer visiting bare foot on hot rock floor is tough in afternoons. Looks pretty well in morning. Visitors are allowed 6 AM onwards.

Conclusion

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