Byamokesvara Temple, Bhubaneswar, Odisha

Byamokesvara Temple, Bhubaneswar, Odisha

Byamokesvara Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Bhubaneswar, the state capital of Odisha, India. The temple is situated opposite to the Lingaraja Temple. The Temple is also called as Suresvara Mahadeva Temple. It is a recently recovered temple that had been buried. The temple is maintained by the local shopkeepers.

History

It is believed that the temple was built in 10^th Century CE by Somavamsis.

The Temple

The temple is surrounded by shops on the northern and southern sides, residential buildings to the east and the road to the west. Except the entrance on the west the entire temple is buried up to the veranda portion. Hence the ground plan of the temple could not be ascertained. The construction technique is dry masonry and the style is Kalingan.  The temple faces towards the west. It is a living temple and made of sand stones. The temple is Pancharatha in plan.

Presiding Deity is called as Byamokesvara / Suresvara. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Shiva Lingam in circular Yonipitha. The Sanctum is about 1.5 meters below the present road level. The vimana is of rekha deula style. The orientation of the temple suggests that it lays buried up to the baranda portion of the bada excluding the entrance on the western side the temple. Image of Ganga can be seen on the right side of the doorframe and Image of Yamuna can be seen on the left side of the door frame.

Dvarapalas can be found at base of the doorjamb on either side. Upper parts of the Dvarapalas are exposed to the onlookers. Image of Gaja Lakshmi can be found in the lintel. She is seen holding two lotuses in her two hands. The goddess is flanked by images of elephants on either side. Navagraha Panel can be found at the Uttara of entrance. Ketu is depicted as a full figure on his knees similar to Tirthesvara temple. 

Festivals

Major festivals such as Maha Shivaratri, Sankranti and Jalabhiseka are celebrated on a grand scale by the temple authorities, drawing hordes of pilgrims from different sections of the society. 

Connectivity

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2020/02/byamokesvara-temple-bhubaneswar-connectivity.html

Location