Lingaraja Temple
It is dedicated to Lord Shiva and the Lingam here is unique which is a hari hara lingam - half Shiva and half Vishnu. The temple is about a thousand years old and dominates the skyline of Bhubaneshwar from as far as 15 kms. away and exhibits the skill of the Orissan temple architects. This temple is dedicated to Tribhubaneshwar or the Lord of Three Worlds. Interestingly the Lingaraja temple is said to have been built first by the ruler Yayati Kesari in the 7th century who shifted his capital from Jaipur to Bhubaneshwar. Bhubaneshwar remained as the Kesari capital, till Nripati Kesari founded Cuttack in the 10th century. Inscriptions from the period of the Kalinga King Anangabhima III from the 13th century are seen here. Lingaraja temple is an architectural marvel. The temple consists of a Natya Mandir (the Hall of Dance), Bhog Mandap (the Hall of Offering), Jagamohan (the Porch) and a 55 m high tower. There are more than 150 other shrines around the main temple. The Lingaraja temple is one of the most famous temples in Orissa and is also known as the Bhubaneswar temple. To the north of the Lingaraja temple is the Bindusagar Lake.
The temple is named after the "Linga" or phallic symbol enshrines in it. Built in 617-657 A.D. it soars up to a height of about 54 meters, dominating the skyline for kilometers around. The temple consists of curvilinear walls, a pillared hall, a dancing hall and a hall for serving the offerings. It can be rather called a temple complex as more than a hundred temples of different sizes are situated within its premises. This is one of the famous Saiva Pitha in India. It represents the peak of Kalinga style of architecture spanning over 25 centuries of progressive history.
