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| Places around Bhubaneswar |
| Lingaraj Temple |
| One of the most popular temples of Orissa is the Lingaraj temple. The largest of these is an outstanding specimen of the Orissa style of temple building. It is about a thousand years old. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Carved on the spire it is adorned with beautiful sculptures, which have been. Lingaraja temple is approximately 54.8 metres high and enshrines a huge statue of Lord Shiva, made up of granite. Bhubaneshwar is also a revered pilgrimage center, referred to in the Bhrama Purana. The Bhrama Purana refers to Bhubaneshwar as the Ekamra Kshetra enshrining a crore Shiva Lingas. The idol is 8 feet in diameter and is placed on a platform that is about 8 inches above ground. The deity is bathed everyday with water, milk and bhang (marijuana). |
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| The ruler Yayati Kesari in the 7th century who shifted his capital from Jaipur to Bhubaneshwar built Lingaraj temple of Bhubaneswar. The high walls of Lingaraja temple, that have been made by using solid red sandstones, lend it the look of a fortress, when viewed from outside.
The vast Bindu Sagar lake is the center around which are located the multitude of temples of Bhubaneshwar. The Lingaraja temple is located in a spacious courtyard covering over 250000 sq feet and is bounded by fortified walls. Its tower rises up to 180 feet and is elaborately carved. |
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| The Bhagawati temple is located in the northwest corner of the courtyard. There are several other shrines and temples in this vast courtyard. The 'Lions' Gate' on the eastern side of the temple is also know as 'Simhadwara'. Lingaraja has 150 smaller shrines inside its huge courtyard, and one of the oldest temples of Bhubaneshwar. The 'Yajna Shala', the 'Bhoga Mandap' and the 'Natya Shala'and the main temple are Lingaraj temple's basic four parts. Along with Lord Shiva, it also enshrines Lord Vishnu, in the form of Saligramam idol. Lord Shiva's Trishul on one side and Lord Vishnu's Chakra on the other are prime attraction on the main gates of the temple. |
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| Mukteshwar Temple |
| Mukteshwar temple, one of the most prominent temples in the heart of Bhubaneswar, dating back to the 10th century and stands as an important transition point between the early and the later phases of the Kalinga School of temple architecture. Mukteshwar temple exudes magnificence and delicacy. It is a perfect blend of ancient and modern designing and this is what makes it simply outstanding. This architecture is one of the basic reasons why Mukteswar temple is also known as the 'Gem of Orissa architecture'. Mukteswar temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Major highlights of the temple and considered as architecture master work as in sandstone, the temple rises up to 35 ft with every inch of the surface carved. It is profusely decorated with the tales from the Panchatantra on its outer walls and features some of the most elaborate carvings and sculptural designs of elephants, monkeys, lions, and other animals. |
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| A sacred tank on the eastern side of the temple compound is sight of seeing, and is said that, taking a dip in the holy well cures a person of infertility. The temple stands within an octagonal compound wall that is based on the lines of structures built in the bygone times. The sculptured gateway, Jagamohana, has diamond shaped latticed windows and decorated interiors, with carvings of lively scenes depicting popular stories from Panchatantra dotting its walls. |
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| Siddheshwar Temple, renowned for the standing figure of Ganesh, is in the same compound. One of the oldest temples in Bhubaneswar, the Kedargauri Temple is across the path from Mukteswar Temple. |
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