Hindu Temples of India: Kapilesvara Temple, Kapileshwar, Bhubaneswar, Odisha

Kapilesvara Temple, Kapileshwar, Bhubaneswar, Odisha

Kapilesvara Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in the south western outskirt of the Kapileshwar, a well-known locality in Bhubaneswar the state capital of Odisha, India. It is located at the end of Kapilesvara road leading from Lingaraj Temple to Kapileshwar Village. This temple complex is as important as Lingaraja temple in Bhubaneswar.

There are about 34 small and big temples or other type of monuments located in this complex. The main temple of the complex is Kapilesvara Shiva temple. This temple was acting as the centre of social, political and educational activities in Bhubaneswar till the middle of 20^th century CE. The temple is under the care and maintenance of Kapilesvara Temple Trust Board.

Legends

According to the local legend, this is the birthplace of sage Kapila, who is considered as the father of Sankhya Philosophy. He is also considered as the brain child of Brahma, an incarnation of Vishnu and Lord Siva himself. Hence, the presiding deity came to be called as Kapilesvara.

History

Kapilesvara Temple was built by the Suryavamsi King Kapilendradeva in the 14^th century CE. However, based on the architectural sculptural fragments and inscriptions of Kapilendradeva found in the temple, it is believed that the original temple might have existed from 11^th Century CE. The entire temple was renovated during Kapilendradeva period with the building materials of the original one. Many historians and scholars, strongly believe that Kapilesvara village is the original Kapilvastu, the birthplace of Gautama Buddha. This temple was acting as the centre of social, political and educational activities in Bhubaneswar till the middle of 20^th century CE.