Budharaja Temple, Sambalpur, Odisha

Budharaja Temple, Sambalpur, Odisha

Budharaja Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Sambalpur City in Sambalpur District in Odisha, India. The temple is located on a hilltop of Bhudharaja. The temple is situated on the left bank of the river Mahanadi. The temple is also called as Burharai Temple.

History

The temple was initiated by the King Chhatrasal (1690 – 1705 AD), seventh ruler of Chauhan Dynasty of Sambalpur and completed by his son King Ajith Singh, eighth ruler of Chauhan Dynasty of Sambalpur. It was built to commemorate the death of the prince Burha Rai. The temple is presently under the care of Siva Bhagat committee.

The Temple

The temple is located on a hilltop of Budharaja. This temple is facing towards east. The temple consists of rekha vimana, pidha jagamohana and pillared open mandapa. The vimana and jagamohana are square on plan that stands on a stepped platform. Idols of a twelve armed dancing Lord Shiva and an eight armed Mahisasuramardini can be seen on the inner walls of the Jagamohana. Presiding Deity is a Shiva Linga within a circular yonipitha. The exterior is devoid of any decorations except the niches.

A concrete road goes to the temple from the base and 108 steps to reach hill top. Budharaja Pahad played a major role in the freedom struggle of Veer Surendra Sai. A well behind Budharaja temple, on the top of the hill, has a secret tunnel that connects to Raja Bakhri, Rani Bakhri, Gopalji Math, Rampad, etc on the other ends. The well is fenced with iron bars. A Shahid Stambha is erected in the memory of the freedom fighters in front of the well and their names are imprinted on it.

Festivals

Shivarathri, Sankranti, Kartika Purnima and Sitalasasti are the festivals celebrated here.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 3 Kms from Sambalpur Bus Stand, 5 Kms from Sambalpur Junction Railway Station, 63 Kms from Jharsuguda Airport, 276 Kms from Bhubaneshwar and 282 Kms from Bhubaneshwar Airport. The temple is located on a hilltop of Bhudharaja and situated on the right side of the road leading from Ainthapali Bus Stand to Laxmi talkies of Sambalpur.

Location | Photos