Kapala Mochan Temple, Puri, Odisha

Kapala Mochan Temple, Puri, Odisha

Kapala Mochan Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in Puri, a famous pilgrimage town in the state of Odisha, India. This Temple is considered as one of the Pancha Pandava Temples, associated with Nakula, one of the brothers among the Pancha Pandavas. It is also considered as one of the Ashta Sambhu Temples protecting Puri in all directions. The Temple is located at about 500 meters from Puri Jagannatha Temple, 2 Kms from Puri Bus Stand and 3 Kms from Puri Railway Station. The Temple is situated to the south west of Jagannath Temple in the Manikarnika street. The temple is located on the left side of Gandua Chaura Chowk in Manikarnika Street.

Legends

Kapala Mochana Mahadeva:

Initially Brahma had five heads. Lord Shiva plucked one of those head, and the Kapala (Head of Brahma) remained attached to Lord Shiva’s hand, thus he committed the sin of killing a Brahmana (Brahma Hathi Dosha). He could not get rid of it and went everywhere but this sin followed him. Finally, when Lord Shiva was passing through Puri, suddenly the Kapala fell from his hand by the power of Puri Dham and Jagannatha. Hence, the Kapala fell from Lord Shiva hands and sin got absolved, Lord Shiva came to be called as Kapala Mochana Mahadeva.

Pancha Pandava Temples:

Kapala Mochan Temple is one of the Pancha Pandava Temple of Puri. As per the legend, Pancha Pandavas (Yudhishthira, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva) during their exile visited Puri and stayed here for one day. They worshipped Lord Vishnu for the safety of their journey. As a symbol of their visit, five Shiva temples were built at Puri in memory of their stay at this holy place. These famous five Shiva temples are Lokanatha, Jameswara, Kapalamochana, Markandeswarar and Nilakanthesvara. Together, these temples are called as Pancha Pandava Temples. Kapala Mochan Temple is associated with Nakula, one of the brother among the Pancha Pandavas.

Ashta Shambhus:

As per Skanda Purana Purusottama Mahatmya, Puri is called as Shankha Kshetra as it is conch shaped. Puri Jagannath Temple stands at the centre. lt is surrounded and protected by eight shrines called Ashta Shambhus. Markandeswar is one among them. The others are Kapalamochana, Kshetrapal, Yameshwar, lshaneswar, Bilweswar and Neelakantha.

History

The Temple was built in 10^th Century CE by Somavanshi Kings.

The Temple

The Temple is considered as one of the Pancha Pandava Temples of Puri. This temple is facing towards east. The temple is Pancharatha on plan and Panchangabada in elevation. Presiding Deity is called as Kapala Mochana Mahadeva. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Shiva Lingam within a circular yonipitha. The Temple is situated 6.60 meters below the present road level. The Sanctum follows rekha deula style and Jagamohana follows pidha deula style. There is an idol of ten-armed Kali inside the Jagamohana. She is called as Dasa Bhuja Shyama Kali. In addition to Dasa Bhuja Shyama Kali, there is a Kartikeya image and a four-armed female figure inside the jagamohana.

There is an 8^th – 9^th century image of Ganesa made of sand stone enshrined in a separate shrine in the northern side of the temple near the wall. The image is without the mount mouse, which speaks of the antiquity of the image. It is quite probable that this image was one of the Parsvadevta of the original Siva temple of the precinct. The image of Lord Narasimha is also carved on the temple wall. There is a sacred pool, called as Manikarnika, found in the temple premises.

Festivals

Kapalamochana Mahadeva participates in the Chandana Yatra festival of Lord Jagannath. This temple is also connected with Sitalasasti, Dolapurnima and Rudravisekha of Lord Jagannath Temple. Marriage ceremony, engagement and thread ceremony etc. are observed here.

Connectivity

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2020/01/puri-odisha-connectivity-puri.html

Location