The largest temple of Bhubaneswar, the 'temple city', dedicated to Harihara, a joint form of Shiva and Vishnu. Its spire is about 55 m high, and it is the mature masterpiece of the Kalinga style.
HistoryDocumented history
Bhubaneswar once had hundreds of temples around the Bindusagar tank, and Lingaraja is its centre. The temple shows the full Kalinga plan of four halls in a line: sanctum, assembly hall, dance hall and offering hall. Non-Hindus may view it only from a platform outside.
Sthala PuranaTradition
The Ekamra Purana calls the area Ekamra Kshetra, 'the field of the single mango tree', where Shiva lived. Parvati, in disguise, killed the demons Kirti and Vasa here, and Shiva created the Bindusagar lake from drops of water from all sacred rivers.
Aitihyas and storiesTradition and folklore
Tradition credits King Yayati Keshari with moving his capital here and starting the temple.
PhilosophyInterpretation
Harihara, half Shiva and half Vishnu, expresses the unity of the two great traditions, and the temple uses bilva (sacred to Shiva) and tulasi (sacred to Vishnu) together.
Meaning todayInterpretation
Bhubaneswar's Ekamra Kshetra plan seeks to protect old temples in a modern capital city, an example of urban heritage planning.
Timeline
- 11th c.constructedprobableSomavamshi and Eastern Ganga rulersMain temple built; halls added in the 12th c.
Videos
No videos have been curated for this temple yet.
Sources
- Ekamra Puranadevotional
- Wikipedia: Lingaraja Templetertiary
This entry is a draft. Traditional stories are presented as tradition, not as historical fact.