Padmesvar Temple, Baneswar, Odisha

Padmesvar Temple, Baneswar, Odisha

Padmesvar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located on the top of Baneswar hillock in Padamala village in Cuttack District in Odisha, India. The temple is situated on the left bank of the river Mahanadi near Narasinghpur.

History

The temple was believed to be built in 10^th century CE by Somavamsis. The temple was renovated by the ex-ruler K.P. Singdeo in 1880 and again by Ananta Narayan Singdeo in 1942. This temple is currently under the control of Archaeological Survey of India.

The Temple

The temple is located on the top of the Baneswar hillock. This temple is facing towards east. The temple was built in form of a Panchayatana complex, which features a main shrine surrounded by four subsidiary shrines at the four corners of the temple. All the four subsidiary shrines were only up to its pabhaga portions. The main shrine consists of rekha vimana and pidha jagamohana. The vimana and jagamohana are square on plan.

The mastaka of both the vimana and jagamohana are missing. The temple is Pancharatha on plan and Panchangabada in elevation. There is an image depicting Lord Shiva saving young Markandeya’s life from Yama can be seen at the entrance of the Jagamohana. Presiding deity is called as Padmesvar. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam within circular yonipitha.

Ganesha, Kartikeya and Parvati are the niche images can be seen around the vimana. The exterior wall is decorated with kirtimukha, chaitya medallion, Naga Nagi pilasters, angasikharas, scroll motifs and nayika images. The sculptures of the temple are mostly damaged for unknown reasons. Mother is called as Prajna Paramita. She is housed in a small shrine behind the main shrine.

Festivals

Shivarathri and Kartika Purnima are the festivals celebrated here.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 6 Kms from Singhadwar Bus Stand, 7 Kms from Sidhamula, 9 Kms from Champeswar, 15 Kms from Narasinghpur, 61 Kms from Athagarh, 95 Kms from Cuttack, 96 Kms from Bhubaneshwar, 96 Kms from Bhubaneshwar Airport and 97 Kms from Cuttack Junction Railway Station. The temple is situated on Athagarh to Narasinghpur route. Devotees need to travel for about 6 Kms towards Mahanadi River from Singhadwar Bus Stand to reach this temple.

Location | Photos