The Lingaraj Temple is the biggest and holiest shrine in Temple City Bhubaneswar. The temple is dedicated to Lord Harihara, which is another way of saying that it is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu.
This temple, which dates back to the eleventh century, is home to a Swayambhu (self-manifested) Shivalinga that is estimated to be eight feet across and eight inches tall. The city’s most popular tourist destination is the Lingaraj Temple, an architectural marvel that is exclusively open to Hindus.
Outside the complex, a platform has been constructed so that non-Hindus can view this magnificent old building. All year long, the temple is frequented by thousands of devotees, but during major holidays like Ashokastami and Mahashivratri, which are celebrated there with great fanfare, this number rises dramatically.
The temple, which was constructed in the Kalinga architectural style, is notable for its exquisitely carved sculptures on its walls. There are 150 smaller shrines within the vast complex of temples. The main sanctum’s tower rises to a considerable height from which it is visible.
History of Lingaraj Temple, Bhubaneswar
Historical accounts state that Jajati Keshari, a Somvanshi king, who built Lingaraj Temple in the eleventh century. Nonetheless, there is a theory that the temple’s Swayambhu Shivalinga was revered as early as the seventh century. According to mythological research, the temple’s name originates from the Brahma Purana, an old Hindu text devoted to Lord Brahma. The shrine’s symbolic unification of Shaivism and Vaishnavism, two of the major Hindu sects, is an intriguing feature.
The temple celebrates holidays like Ashokashtami, Chandan Yatra, and Mahashivaratri with great fervor each year. The most significant of these is Mahashivaratri, which is observed in the Hindu month of Phalgun. Thousands of worshippers come to the temple on this day to offer sacrifices to Lord Shiva. In addition, a lot of devotees observe a daytime fast, breaking it at night when a large earthen lamp known as a Mahadipa is raised atop the temple.
Commencing on the auspicious day of Akshaya Tritiya, the Chandan Yatra is a 21-day festival. The gods’ idols are brought to the Bindu Sarovar for this celebration, and exquisitely adorned narrow boats known as Chapas are used in a water procession. After that, water and Chandan, or sandalwood paste, are used to sanctify the idols.
Ashokashtami is the name of Lord Lingaraj’s yearly Car Festival or Rath Yatra. According to the Hindu calendar, it is celebrated fervently on the eighth day of Chaitra month (March/April). A beautifully decorated chariot is used to transport the idol of Lord Lingaraj to the Rameswar Temple, also known as the Mausi Maa Temple, during the festival. After four days, the idol of the deity is returned to the Lingaraj Temple after receiving a ceremonial bath at the Bindu Sarovar. Large crowds of devotees assemble to attend this festival and offer tributes.
Lingaraj Temple Timings:
The temple is open every day of the week and admission is free. Darshan timings for the Lingaraj temple are 6:00 am and 12:30 pm, and then again from 3:30 pm to 9:00 pm. All devotees are entitled to free darshan, but no special arrangement exists for online puja reservations.
How to Get to Bhubaneswar, Odisha’s Lingaraj Temple:
Because Lingaraj Temple is situated in a prominent area of Bhubaneswar, it is easily accessible from the airport, train station, bus station, and other locations throughout the city. Due to the abundance of private taxis, auto rickshaws, and city buses, getting to the temple is quite simple.
It takes roughly ten minutes to travel by auto rickshaw or taxi from the Biju Patnaik International Airport to the Lingaraj Temple Bhubaneswar, which is situated about 4.4 km away. By using an auto rickshaw or taxi service, it is easy to travel the 4.8 km distance in about 12 minutes from the Bhubaneswar railway station. To get to the shrine, visitors can also take local buses or rent a private taxi from reputable Bhubaneswar car rental companies.
Linraja temple photos available in their official website of the temple. To learn more about the liturgical temples, go to their official website. This website contains well-researched content that comes from reliable sources.