Lingaraja Temple, Bhubaneswar – Other Shrines

Lingaraja Temple, Bhubaneswar – Other Shrines

The temple has a vast courtyard mired with hundreds of small shrines. Around 150 small and big shrines are located within the complex of Lingaraja temple.

Ganesha Shrine:

This Shrine houses Ganesha. He is gracing the devotees with two arms in sitting posture. This Shrine was built in 12^th Century CE and some modifications in 13^th Century CE by the Gangas. The Sanctum follows Rekha Deula style and Jagamohana follows Pidha Deula style architecture. Navagraha Panel can be found at the entrance.  The interior and exterior parts of the shrine are bestowed with numerous beautiful sculptures. Some of the notable sculptures are Anantasayana Vishnu and Lord Shiva Parvati marriage scene. There are two Ganesha idols as niche deities around the shrine.

Anantesvara Shrine:

This Shrine houses Baladeva, Ekanamsa Devi (Subhadra) and Krishna. This Shrine was built in 13^th Century CE by the Gangas. This Shrine follows Rekha Deula architecture.

Baidyanath Shrine:

This Shrine was built in 15^th Century CE by the Gangas. It houses Baidyanath in the form of Shiva Lingam. This Shrine follows Pidha Deula architecture.

Bhairavesvara Shrine:

This shrine does not have any idol in the sanctum. This Shrine was built in 13^th Century CE by the Gangas. The Vimana is dilapidated. The Jagamohana follows Pidha type architecture. Due to Ekapada Bhairava sculpture found in the Vimana, this shrine came to be called as Bhairavesvara Shrine.  

Bhuvaneswari Shrine:

This Shrine houses the idol of Bhuvaneswari. She is also called as Gopalini. This Shrine was built in 12^th Century CE by the Gangas. The sanctum is crowned with Khakhara Vimana and Jagamohana follows Pidha type architecture.

Chandesvara Shrine:

This Shrine houses Chandesvara in the form of Shiva Lingam. This Shrine was built in 12^th Century CE by the Gangas. This Shrine follows Rekha Deula architecture. Dvarapalas can be found at the door jambs.

Ekadasi Mahadeva Shrine:

This Shrine houses Ekadasi Mahadeva in the form of Shiva Lingam. This Shrine was built in 15^th Century CE by the Gangas. This Shrine follows Rekha Deula architecture.

Gauri Shankar Shrine:

This Shrine houses Gauri Shankar in the form of Shiva Lingam. This Shrine was built in 14^th Century CE by the Gangas. This Shrine follows Rekha Deula architecture. The Upper portion is dilapidated. Navagraha panel and Gaja Lakshmi relief image can be found at the top of the entrance. There are two small Dwara palas relief images at the doorjambs.

Ladukesvara Shrine:

This Shrine houses Ladukesvara in the form of Shiva Lingam. This Shrine was built in 12^th Century CE by the Gangas. The Shrine follows Rekha Deula type architecture. Images of Ganesha and Kartikeya can be found in niches.

Lavanesvara Shrine:

This Shrine houses Lavanesvara in the form of Shiva Lingam. This Shrine was built in 12^th Century CE by the Gangas. The Shrine follows Rekha Deula type architecture. Images of Ganesha and Parvati can be found in niches.

Lakshmi Narasimha Shrine:

This Shrine houses Lakshmi Narasimha. He is with four arms in the sitting posture (Padmasana). His upper arms hold conch and discus. He is flanked by Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi. This Shrine was built in 14^th Century CE by the Gangas. The Shrine follows Rekha Deula type architecture. Bhoovaraha can be found as a niche image in this shrine.

Pataleswara Shrine:

This Shrine houses Pataleswara in the form of Shiva Lingam. This Shrine was built in 14^th Century CE by the Gangas. The Shrine follows Rekha Deula type architecture.

Ramalingeswara Shrine:

This Shrine houses Ramalingeswara in the form of Shiva Lingam. This Shrine was built in 13^th Century CE by the Gangas. The Shrine follows Rekha Deula type architecture.

Rishaba Shrine:

This Shrine houses Nandi (Rishaba). This Shrine was built in 13^th Century CE by the Gangas. The Shrine follows Rekha Deula type architecture. Surya on the chariot can be found in the balustrated window. Sculptures of Kartikeya and Mithuna can be found in the shrine. Ganga, Yamuna, Navagraha panel and dwara palas can be found at the doorjambs.

Satyanarayana Shrine:

This Shrine was built in 13^th Century CE by the Gangas. The sanctum follows Rekha Deula Style and Jagamohana follows Pidha Deula style architecture. This Shrine houses Satya Narayana. He is flanked by Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi on his either sides. He is found with four arms and holds conch, discus and lotus. Garuda is found at his right foot. 

Savitri Shrine:

This Shrine was built in 12^th Century CE by the Gangas. The sanctum follows Khakhara Deula Architecture (Vimana with unique semi-cylindrical roof). It houses Savitri in seated posture. Yama Shrine can be found near to this Shrine without any idol inside it.

Siddhesvara Shrine:

This Shrine was built in 12^th Century CE by the Gangas. It houses Siddhesvara in the form of Shiva Lingam. This Shrine follows Rekha Deula architecture. Gaja Lakshmi can be found at the lintel. Ganesha, Kartikeya and Parvathi are the niche idols around the shrine.

Tarakesvara Shrine:

This Shrine was built in 14^th Century CE by the Gangas. It houses Tarakesvara in the form of Shiva Lingam. This Shrine follows Rekha Deula architecture. Gaja Lakshmi can be found at the lintel. Ganesha, Kartikeya and Parvathi are the niche idols around the shrine.

Ugresvara Shrine:

This Shrine was built in 15^th Century AD by the Gangas. It houses Ugresvara in the form of Shiva Lingam. The sanctum is crowned with Rekha Vimana and Jagamohana follows Pidha type architecture.

Vishwakarma Shrine:

This Shrine was built in 12^th Century AD by the Gangas. It houses Baidyanath in the form of Shiva Lingam. This Shrine follows Rekha Deula architecture. A Shiva Linga in the name of Vishwakarma is housed in the Shrine. Vishwakarma painting is also found in the shrine.

Chitresvara Shrine:

This Shrine houses Chitresvara in the form of Shiva Lingam. This Shrine was built in 16^th Century CE by the Suryavamshi Gajapati. This Shrine follows Rekha Deula architecture.

Dakshina Kali Shrine:

This Shrine houses Dakshina Kali. She is gracing the devotees with four arms in standing posture. This Shrine was built in 16^th Century CE by the Suryavamshi Gajapati. This Shrine follows Pidha Deula architecture.

Sakshi Shankar Shrine:

This Shrine was built in 16^th Century CE by the Suryavamshi Gajapati. It houses Sakshi Shankar in the form of Shiva Lingam. The Shrine follows Pidha type architecture. Navagraha panel can be found at the top of the entrance and Gaja Lakshmi can be found at the lintel. Dvarapalas can be found along with Ganga and Yamuna at the doorjambs.

Sasthi Devi Shrine:

This Shrine was built in 16^th Century CE by the Suryavamshi Gajapati. It houses Sasthi Devi with four arms in the standing posture. The Shrine follows Pidha type architecture.

Guptesvara Shrine:

This Shrine houses Guptesvara in the form of Shiva Lingam. This Shrine was built in 16^th Century CE by the Somavamshi Gajapati. This Shrine follows Rekha Deula architecture. Navagraha panel can be found at the top of the entrance. There are two small Dwara palas relief images at the doorjambs.

Isanesvara Shrine:

This Shrine houses Isanesvara in the form of Shiva Lingam. This Shrine was built in 16^th Century CE by the Somavamshi Gajapati. This Sanctum follows Rekha Deula architecture and Jagamohana follows Pidha Deula architecture. Ganesha, Kartikeya and Parvathi are the niche idols around the shrine.

Kapilesvara Shrine:

This Shrine houses Kapilesvara in the form of Shiva Lingam. This Shrine was built in 16^th Century CE by the Somavamshi Gajapati. This shrine follows Pidha Deula architecture.

Mahavir Shrine:

This Shrine houses Mahavir / Hanuman. This Shrine was built in 16^th Century CE by the Somavamshi Gajapati. The Shrine follows Rekha Deula type architecture.

Pasana Durga Shrine:

This Shrine houses Pasana Durga / Kanaka Durga. This Shrine was built in 16^th Century CE by the Somavamshi Gajapati. The Shrine follows Pidha Deula type architecture.

Ekambaresvara Shrine:

This Shrine houses Ekambaresvara in the form of Shiva Lingam. This Shrine was built in 11^th Century CE by Somavamshi. It is also believed that this shrine might be older than Lingaraja Shrine itself.  This Shrine follows Rekha Deula architecture.

Kartikeya Shrine:

This Shrine houses Kartikeya in standing posture. The idol is damaged. This Shrine was built in 12^th Century CE by the Somavamshi. This shrine follows Rekha Deula architecture.

Kasi Vishwanath Shrine:

This Shrine houses Kasi Vishwanath in the form of Shiva Lingam. This Shrine was built in 12^th Century CE by the Somavamshi. The Shrine follows Rekha Deula type architecture. Ganesha, Kartikeya and Parvati are the niche idols found around the shrine. Dvarapalas along with Ganga and Yamuna can be found at the doorjamb. Navagraha panel and Gaja Lakshmi can be found at the entrance.

Pejakhia Shrine:

This Shrine houses Pejakhia in the form of Shiva Lingam. This Shrine was built in 11^th Century CE by the Somavamshi. The Shrine follows Rekha Deula type architecture.

Ram Sita Shrine:

This Shrine houses a Shiva Linga along with the metal images of Ram and Sita. This Shrine was built in 12^th Century CE by the Somavamshi. The Shrine follows Rekha Deula type architecture.

Shiva Kali Shrine:

This Shrine was built in 14^th Century CE by the Somavamshi. It houses a Shiva Lingam. This Shrine follows Rekha Deula architecture. Ganesha, Kartikeya and Parvathi are the niche idols around the shrine.

Varahi Shrine:

This Shrine houses Varahi in the seated posture with four arms holding fish and a child and sitting on the mount buffalo. This Shrine was built in 11^th Century AD by the Somavamshi. This Shrine follows Rekha Deula architecture.

Shiva Shrines:

Apart from the shrines mentioned above, there are many sub shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva in the form of Lingas. There is no specific name for some of these Lingams and all of them are merely called as Shiva. Few of them are named as Ramanath, Kedareshwar, Nageshwar, etc. Many of these shrines are dated to 16^th century CE and were built by the Somavamshi Gajapati rulers. Some of them belong to 14^th or 15^th century CE and were built by the Gangas.

Vishnu Shrines:

There are few shrines without any deities but are believed to be Vishnu Shrines. These Shrines are dated to 13^th to 15^th century CE and were built by the Gangas.

Ruined Shiva Shrines:

There are also few ruined Shiva shrines with or without Shiva Linga idols. These shrines are dated to 13^th or 14^th century CE and were built by the Gangas.