5 Temples To Visit When in Bhubaneswar

One of the oldest cities of India, the history of Bhubaneswar stretches back over 2000 years where it held the distinction of being the capital of ancient Kalinga. Retaining its place of glory and importance, Bhubaneswar today is the capital of the state of Orissa (Odisha). Apart from its obvious political significance, Bhubaneswar is an important pilgrimage centre and the home to over 500 of India’s finest temples which has earned it the nomenclature of ‘City of Temples.’ These temples not only form the core around which the religious life of the city revolves but they are of tremendous archaeological and historical significance. A trip to this ancient city of India will find any traveler lost in the pages of history. Here the past and the present co-exist peacefully to create a fine balance between modernity and antiquity.

* Vaital Deul Temple

An 8th century construction, Vaital Deul is the epitome of grace and charm. The delicate carvings of figurines and strong tantric influences on the temple make Vaital Deul an interesting study. The temple remains open from morning till late in the night.

* Lingaraj Temple

The Kalinga style of architecture which developed in Orissa is nowhere better manifested than the Lingaraj Temple dating back to 1000 A.D, dedicated to Lord Shiva. Built of sandstone and laterite, it is the grandest, most fascinating and undoubtedly the largest temple in Bhubaneswar. An architectural splendour, the Lingaraj Temple is one of the most visited monuments in the city.

* Rajarani Temple

A symbol of perfection, beauty and grace is the Rajarani Temple, considered by many as a masterpiece. Many refer to it as a ‘Love Temple’ owing to the erotic carvings on the walls of the temple. The temple has no presiding deity. It remains open from sunrise to sunset.

* Mukteswar Temple

Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Mukteswar Temple is the Gem of Orissa. The exquisite carvings and sculptures that adorn the temple are spellbinding and charming. The temple is essential in any study of the development of Hindu temples in Orissa. It marks the culmination of all earlier artistic initiatives and stylistic developments of temple architecture in the state.

* Parasurameswara Temple

The Parasurameswara Temple is one of the oldest surviving temples of Bhubaneswar and comparatively smaller. Some of the earliest tendencies of temple architecture of Orissa are manifested in this temple. Though small it is not devoid of the ornamental carvings. The Lingam of Lord Shiva worshipped here is believed to be one of the oldest and dates back to 2nd or 1st century B.C.