Uttaresvara Temple, Pandia, Odisha

Uttaresvara Temple, Pandia, Odisha

Uttaresvara Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Pandia Village in Purusottampur Block in Ganjam District in Odisha, India. The temple is situated on the left bank of the Rushikulya river. The temple is a protected monument of Odisha State Archaeology and under Endowment Department, Government of Odisha.

History

The temple is believed to be built in 19^th century CE during the Bhanja rule of ex-Ghumsar state.

The Temple

This temple is facing towards east and enclosed within a compound wall with entrances on the western and southern side. The temple consists of pidha vimana, pidha jagamohana, nandi mandapa and bhoga mandapa. Both the vimana and jagamohana are square on plan. The temple is pancharatha on plan & panchangabada in elevation. The sanctum enshrines the presiding deity Uttaresvara in the form of Shiva Linga within a circular yonipitha

Vaishnavite & Saivite dvarapalas are found in the miniature rekhamundis at the base of the doorjambs and Gajalaxmi at the lintel. The external walls of the temple are decorated with khakharamundis & pidhamundis in talajangha and uparajangha respectively. Each mundis has images of Brahma, Bhairava, Bhairavi, Brahmani, Vaishnavi and Yamuna etc. Udyota Simhas are found on each raha pagas.

Festivals

Shivarathri and Kartika Purnima are the festivals celebrated here with much fanfare.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 7 Kms from Purusottampur, 7 Kms from Purusottampur Bus Stand, 26 Kms from Asika, 31 Kms from Brahmapur, 36 Kms from Brahmapur Railway Station, 38 Kms from Ganjam, 157 Kms from Bhubaneswar Airport and 158 Kms from Bhubaneswar. The temple is situated at about 7 Kms from Purusottampur on the Ganjam to Asika route.

Location