Lingaraja Temple, Bhubaneswar – History

Lingaraja Temple, Bhubaneswar – History

The temple in its present form dates back to the last decade of the 11^th century CE. There is evidence that part of the temple was built during the 6^th century CE as mentioned in some of the seventh century Sanskrit texts. The temple might have been initiated by Lalat Indu Keshari who reigned from 615 to 657 CE.  As per some accounts, the temple is believed to have been built by the Somavanshi king Yayati I (1025-1040), during the 11^th century CE. Yayati Keshari shifted his capital from Jajpur to Bhubaneswar. Bhubaneshwar remained as the Kesari capital, till Nripati Kesari founded Cuttack in the 10^th century.

Yayati I had no time to build the temple and it should have been initiated by his sons Ananta Kesari and Udyota Kesari (believed to be other names of Yayati II as well). The argument provided against the view is that is his weak successors could not have constructed such a magnificent structure.  Although the current structure of the temple was built in the 11^th century CE, as per the evidence found in some ancient texts, this temple must have existed in some other form even in the 6^th century CE or 7^th century CE. 

The current structure of the temple was partly built by the Somavamshi Kings in the 11^th century CE. Although some believe that it was the King Yayati II of Somavamshi dynasty who built this temple, there is no strong evidence for the same. The Assembly hall (jagamohana), sanctum and temple tower were built during the 11^th century CE, while the Hall of offering (bhoga-mandapa) was built during the 12^th century CE. The Natamandira was built by the wife of Salini between 1099 and 1104 CE.

In the 12^th century CE, the Ganga Kings started ruling this region. They were followers of Vishnu. The famous temple of Puri Jagannath was built by them. The Ganga Kings added a lot of Vaishnavite features to the temple. The idols of Jaya and Vijaya, Jagannatha, Lakshmi Narayana, Bhoo Varaha and Garuda were added by them. Along with Bilva leaves, the priests started using Tulsi leaves also for the poojas. Even the main deity who was called as Lingaraja or Kirtivasa was named as Harihara, a combination of Vishnu and Shiva. Some of the festivals similar to that of Puri temple were introduced in Lingaraja temple.  

One of the Somavamsi queens donated a village to the temple and the Brahmins attached to the temple received generous grants. An inscription from the Saka year 1094 (1172 CE) indicates gifts of gold coins to the temple by Rajaraja II. Another inscription of Narasimha I from the 11^th century indicates offer of betel leaves as tambula to the presiding deity. Other stone inscriptions in the temple indicate royal grants from Chodaganga to the nearby village people.