Somanath Temple, Sambalpur, Odisha

Somanath Temple, Sambalpur, Odisha

Somanath Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in Sambalpur City in Sambalpur District in Odisha, India. The Temple is situated on the left bank of the river Mahanadi, on the left side of the road leading from Kunjelpada to Samalesvsari temple.

History

The Temple was built by the third Chauhan ruler Balabhadra Deva (1605 to 1630 CE). This temple is under the control of Endowment Department, Government of Odisha.

The Temple

The temple is facing towards east. The temple is Pancharatha on plan. The temple consists of a rekha vimana, rekha jagamohana and a pillared mandapa. The vimana and jagamohana are square on plan. Both vimana and jagamohana stands over a raised platform. The Sanctum houses a Shivalinga within a circular yonipitha. The exterior is devoid of any decoration except the Parsvadevta niches. A detach pillar is found in front of the temple. Sculptures of an erotic figure and Mahisasuramardini are found in the temple premises.

Festivals

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

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 1.5 Kms from Sambalpur Bus Stand, 2 Kms from Sambalpur Junction Railway Station and 2 Kms from Sambalpur Road Railway Station. The Temple is situated on the left bank of the river Mahanadi, on the left side of the road leading from Kunjelpada to Samalesvsari temple. Sambalpur is located at about 14 Kms from Hirakud, 53 Kms from Jharsuguda, 62 Kms from Jharsuguda Airport, 79 Kms from Sonepur, 124 Kms from Balangir and 275 Kms from Bhubaneshwar.

Sambalpur is connected to the rest of Odisha and India by national highway – NH 53 / Economic Corridor 1 (EC1), a part of Asian Highway – AH 46 (Mumbai – Kolkata Highway). NH 55 connects with Cuttack and Bhubaneswar,  State Highway 15 connects with Sonepur, State Highway 10 (SH10) connects with Jharsuguda and Rourkela and the Biju Expressway connects Rourkela – Sambalpur – Jagdalpur.

Location