The Lingaraja Temple is an ancient temple situated in the city of Bhubaneswar .
Lingaraja Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the oldest temple in Bhubaneswar.
The temple is the most prominent landmark of Bhubaneswar city and one of the major tourist attractions of the state.
The Lingaraja temple is the largest temple in Bhubaneswar. The central tower of the temple is 180 ft tall.
Lingaraja temple represents the quintessence of the Kalinga architecture and culminates. Medieval stages of the architectural tradition at Bhubaneswar.
The temple is believed to be built by the kings from the Somavamsi Dynasty thus with later additions from the Ganga relers .
The temple is built in the Deula style that has four components namely.
1.vimana ( structure containing th he Sanctum)
2.jagamohana ( assembly hall )
3.nata mandira ( festival hall).
4.bhoga – mandapa each increasing in the height to its predecessor.
The temple complex has 50 other shrines and is enclosed by a large compound wall.
Bhubaneswar is called Ekamra Kshetra as the deity of Liingaraja was originally under a mango tree as noted in Ekamra Purana.
The temple is active in worship practices, unlike most other temples in Bhubaneswar.
Temple has images of Vishnu thus possibly because of the rising prominence.
Thus Jagannath sect emanating from the Ganga rulers who built the Jagannath Temple in Puri 12th century.
A central deity of the temple, Lingaraja, is worshiped as Shiva.
Lingaraja Temple: History
Lingaraja , literally means the king of Lingam, the iconic form of Shiva.
Shiva was originally worshiped as Krutivasa and later as Hariharaa and is commonly referred to as Tribhuvaneshwara ( also called as Bhubaneswar), the master of three words , namely , heaven, earth and netherworld .
His consort is called Bhubaneswar or Gopaluni.
As per some accounts, the temple is believed to have been built by the Somanshi king Yayati 1 , during the 21th century CE.
Jajati keshri shifted his capital from jajpur to Bhubaneswar which was referred to as Ekamra kshetra in the Brahma Purana, an ancient scriptures.
One of thee Somavamsi queen donated a village to the temple and the Brahmins attached to the temple received generous grants .
An inscription from the Saka year 1094 indicates gifts of gold coins to the temple by Rajaraja ll .
Lingaraja Temple: Festivals
As per Hindu legend , an underground river originating from the Lingaraja temple fills the Bindusagar Tank and the water is believed to heal physical and spiritual illness.
The water from the tank is thus treated sacred and pilgrims take holy dip during festive occasions.
The central deity of the temple , Lingaraja is worshiped as Shiva.
Every year several festivals are celebrated in this temple which adds more charm and allure to its divinity.
Chandan Yatra, Rath Yatra and Shivratri are among the most popular festivals, presenting a sight of pure devotion.
The most famous festival at Lingaraja Temple is Shivratri thus which is celebrated annually in Phalgen month.
Thousands of devotees throng the temple to make offerings to Lord Harihara as they they fast throughout the day.
The main celebration takes place during the night when devotees break their fast after the lighting of the Mahadipa which is an enormous earthen.
Chandan Yatra or Sandalwood ceremony is another one of the main festivals of Lingaraja Temple.
Celebration of the same last over a period of 22 day when those who serve the temple disport themselves in in a specially made barge in Bindusagar Tank.
Both deities and devotes are sanctified with sandalwood paste to protect from the heat.
Every year several festivals are celebrated in this temple which adds more charm and allure to its divinity.
Chandan Yatra, Rath yatra and Shivratri ars, presenting a sight of pure devotion.
Ashok ashtami sees splendid celebration of Lingaraja Rath Yatra when the deity is taken to the Rameshwar Deula Temple seated atop a chariot .
Devotees pull the colourful chariots of Lingaraja . His sister Rukmani to the temple thus which is considered to be the greatest service of Lord.
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