Mukteshvara Temple, Bhubaneswar – Connectivity

Mukteshvara Temple, Bhubaneswar – Connectivity

The temple is located at about 2 Kms from Lingaraj Temple, 4 Kms from Bhubaneswar Railway Station, 5 Kms from Bhubaneswar Airport, 5 Kms from Lingaraj Temple Road Railway Station, 9 Kms from Baramunda Bus Stand, 18 Kms from Bhubaneswar New Railway Station, 29 Kms from Cuttack and 54 Kms from Puri. The temple is situated close to Kedara Gouri Temple and Parasurameswara Temple on Bhubaneswar to Puri road. Bhubaneswar is well connected to rest of India by Train, Air and Land.

By Road:

Bhubaneswar is connected to the rest of Odisha and India by National Highway-NH 16, NH 203, State Highway 13 (Odisha) and State Highway 27 (Odisha). Asian Highway – AH 45 passes through the city. Baramunda Inter State Bus Terminus (ISBT) is the major bus terminus in the city from where buses ply to all the districts in Odisha as well as to neighboring state's cities like Hyderabad, Kolkata, Visakhapatnam, Raipur and Ranchi. City bus service (Mo Bus) runs across Bhubaneswar by Capital Region Urban Transport Authority run by Bhubaneswar Development Authority.

Nowadays popular online cab or auto transport system provided by Jugnoo, Ola, uber are widely used. Auto rickshaws are available for hire and on a share basis throughout the city. In parts of the city, cycle rickshaws offer short trips. Also, CRUT recently has launched Mo Cycle, a public bicycle Sharing platform to curb traffic, reducing pollution in city and providing last mile connectivity in city.

By Train:

Bhubaneswar railway station is one of the main stations of the Indian railway network. It is connected to major cities by daily express and passenger trains and daily service to all metro cities is available from here.

By Air:

Biju Patnaik International Airport, also known as Bhubaneswar Airport, located to the south of the city Centre, is the major and sole international airport in Odisha. There are daily domestic flights from Bhubaneswar to Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Kolkata, Vishakhapatnam, Chennai and Bangalore. There are international flights from Bhubaneswar to Bangkok, Dubai and Kualalumpur thrice a week.

Mukteshvara Temple, Bhubaneswar – The Temple Complex

Mukteshvara Temple, Bhubaneswar – The Temple Complex

The temple is situated in a garden complex known as Siddharanya (forest of siddhas) and is situated on the southeast corner of the garden. This temple is facing towards west and stands on a low platform. The temple is enclosed within a low octagonal compound wall. The compound wall is built with four courses of stones. The bottom-most course contains plain stones with gavaksha (window) design, many of these windows have standing figures.

The next course has niches set within two flanking pilasters. These niches have a male face or a lotus. The third course has plain stones with a small standing or seated figure at its top. The last course is plain and simple, curved at the top. There are thirty corner niches on this compound wall. These niches are decorated with images of  Avalokiteshvara, Lakulisa, Buddha, Surya, Vishnu, Ganesha, Sarasvati, Varahi, Kartikeya, Chamunda and Parvati. The enclosure wall is plain from inside.

The space between the temple and the wall serves as the circumambulatory path. The temple has a torana (the arched gateway) at the entrance of the octagonal compound. The torana is heavily influenced by the Buddhist architecture style. The torana has two heavy pillars supporting a rounded arch on top. The pillars are square at base, consisting of two courses. These are decorated with miniature temple carvings. The square base is followed by a sixteen faceted shaft with its top and bottom decorated course.

Above is the capital of the column in form of a ribbed cushion topped with an abacus. The torana arch is formed by two makaras, extending on opposite ends. At the bottom ends and at apex are three gavaksha (windows) or chaitya decoration. These chaityas have a male head inside. The torana is dominated by four, two on front and two at back side, reclining female figures, resembling voluptuous yakshis.

Such toranas were erected to facilitate dola-utsava ceremony where a movable image of the deity is placed over a swing for rituals. The temple is pancharatha on plan and triangabada in elevation. The temple consists of a rekha vimana, pidha jagamohana and a shallow frontal porch. The vimana is square on plan and the jagamohana is rectangular on plan. The jagamohana is triratha on plan. The superstructure over the jagamohana is of pidha (pyramidal style).

The pyramidal roof of the jagamohana was the first of its kind over the conventional two-tier structure. The roof is built with twelve tiers of pidhas topped with a kalasa. The northern and southern walls of the jagamohana has lattice windows of diamond patterns. The recess between the kanika and anuratha is decorated with naga pilasters. It has six pabhaga mouldings topped with a slim shaft entwined with a naga or nagini figure at the bottom.

These naga nagini pillars are said to have been introduced first in this temple, later became a norm in the Odishan temple art. The pillars are arranged in alternate manner. The mandapa ceiling has five receding stone courses of different shapes, and is heavily adorned with carvings of deities, dancers, musicians, heavenly beings, warriors, flying figures, floral motifs and geometrical patterns.

The entrance is preceded by a large Chandra shila (moonstone) followed by a doorway guarded by two dvarapalas. The figure of Lakulisa, seated in bhumispara mudra and holding a lakuta is present on the lintel of the jagamohana. A small extension from the side roof of the jagamohana has the image of a lion sitting on its hind legs. The exterior walls of the structure are decorated with pilasters with nagas and naginis.

The dedicatory block of the sanctum doorway has Gajalakshmi. Navagraha panel can be seen above the lintel. The base of the doorjamb has dvarapalas. The sanctum enshrines the presiding deity, Muktesvara, in the form of Shiva Linga within a circular yonipitha. All the niches around the sanctum are empty. The shikara over the sanctum follows rekha nagara style of architecture.

The shikara is about 34 feet tall and intricately carved with sculptures, decorative patters and architectural patterns. It has four Natarajas and four kirtimukhas on the four faces. It is a highly ornate chaitya window crowned by masked demon head and dwarf figures. The shikara is crowned with amalaka and kalasa on top of it. 

The exterior of the temple is decorated with various deities, salabhanjikas, alasa kanyas, nayikas, ascetics in emaciated form, pancha tantra stories, animals, social scenes, chaitya motifs, scroll works, architectural motifs, floral motifs and geometrical patterns. There is a small tank called as Marichi Kunda, situated to the south of the main temple.

It is said that a dip in this kunda will cure infertility in women. The entrance doorway of the tank is carved with Ganga and Yamuna at the doorjambs and Lakulisa seated with his four disciples in the center of its lintel. There is a large tank situated on the eastern side of the temple. It is fed by a natural spring and might be the principal tank of the temple.

There is a raised terrace with six miniature temples in a row situated to the west of the main temple. These temples are arranged in two group, containing three temples each, and the space between the groups is aligned with the main entrance of the temple. There are four miniature temples situated on the south eastern side of the main temple. All these shrines are facing towards west.

Banesvara Temple:

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2023/05/mukteshvara-temple-bhubaneswar-banesvara-temple.html

Khakhara Temple:

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2023/05/mukteshvara-temple-bhubaneswar-khakhara-temple.html

Pidha Temple:

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2023/05/mukteshvara-temple-bhubaneswar-pidha-temple.html

Twin Pidha Temple:

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2023/05/mukteshvara-temple-bhubaneswar-twin-pidha-temple.html

Shiva Temple No I:

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2023/05/mukteshvara-temple-bhubaneswar-shiva-temple-i.html

Shiva Temple No II:

This temple is situated within the Muktesvara Temple Complex. The temple was constructed in 10^th century CE by Somavamsis. This temple is considered as the parivara shrine of Muktesvara. The temple is facing towards east. The temple consists of a rekha vimana and square on plan. The temple is pancharatha on plan and triangabada in elevation. The sanctum enshrines a broken image of Ganesha. The exterior is devoid of any decoration except the chaitya medallion on the frontal raha projection.

Shiva Temple No III:

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2023/05/mukteshvara-temple-bhubaneswar-shiva-temple-iii.html

Shiva Temple No IV:

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2023/05/mukteshvara-temple-bhubaneswar-shiva-temple-iv.html

Shiva Temple No VI:

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2023/05/mukteshvara-temple-bhubaneswar-shiva-temple-vi.html

Shiva Temple No VII:

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2023/05/mukteshvara-temple-bhubaneswar-shiva-temple-vii.html

Shiva Temple No VIII:

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2023/05/mukteshvara-temple-bhubaneswar-shiva-temple-viii.html

Vishnu Temple No I:

This temple is situated within the Muktesvara Temple Complex. The temple was constructed in 10^th century CE by Somavamsis. The temple is facing towards east. The temple consists of a rekha vimana and a shallow frontal porch. The temple is pancharatha on plan and triangabada in elevation. The sanctum is square on plan. The sanctum enshrines an image of Lord Vishnu with serpent hood as umbrella and holding nectar pot in his hands. The exterior is devoid of any decoration except the chaitya medallion at the central raha above the parsvadevta niches and series of chaitya medallion at the base of the gandi.

Mukteshvara Temple, Bhubaneswar – Banesvara Temple

Mukteshvara Temple, Bhubaneswar – Banesvara Temple

This temple is situated on the south eastern corner of the Muktesvara Temple Complex near the Ramakunda, the temple tank of Muktesvara Temple. This temple was constructed in 13^th century CE by Gangas. This temple is facing towards west. The temple is saptaratha on plan and triangabada in elevation. The temple consists of a rekha vimana. The sanctum is square on plan. The sanctum enshrines the presiding deity, Banesvara, in the form of Shiva Linga within a circular yonipitha.

The exterior is devoid of any decorations except the raha niches decorated with talagarbhika & urdhagarbhika surmounted by a Kirtimukha. The doorjambs are crowned by three miniature pancharatha rekha vimana surmounted by vajramastaka in the frontal raha projections. The vajramastaka of each side is crowned by udyotasimha. An image of Lakulisa is found in the lalatabimba of the doorjamb.

Mukteshvara Temple, Bhubaneswar – Khakhara Temple

Mukteshvara Temple, Bhubaneswar – Khakhara Temple

This temple is situated within the Muktesvara Temple Complex. The temple was constructed in 10^th century CE by Somavamsis. The temple is facing towards east. The temple consists of a khakhara vimana and square on plan. The temple is pancharatha on plan and triangabada in elevation. The sanctum enshrines an image of Lord Vishnu with serpent hood as umbrella and holding nectar pot in his hands. The exterior is devoid of any decoration except the three plain vertical bands at the doorjamb and a single miniature khakharamundi at the pabhaga of raha projection on southern side.

Mukteshvara Temple, Bhubaneswar – Pidha Temple

Mukteshvara Temple, Bhubaneswar – Pidha Temple

This temple is situated within the Muktesvara Temple Complex. The temple was constructed in 10^th century CE by Somavamsis. The temple is facing towards west. The temple consists of a pidha vimana and square on plan. The temple is pancharatha on plan and triangabada in elevation. Dvarapalas can be seen at the base of the doorjamb. Navagrahas can be seen on the architrave of the doorjambs. An image of Gajalakshmi can be seen on the lalata bimba. The exterior is devoid of any decoration.

Mukteshvara Temple, Bhubaneswar – Twin Pidha Temple

Mukteshvara Temple, Bhubaneswar – Twin Pidha Temple

This temple is situated within the Muktesvara Temple Complex. The temple was constructed in 10^th century CE by Somavamsis. The temple is facing towards south. This temple consists of two shrines in series attached to each other. Both shrines has pidha vimana. One shrine enshrines an image of ten armed Nataraja and the other shrine enshrines a headless image of Parvathy. The Nataraja shrine is square on plan and the Parvati shrine is rectangular on plan.

Mukteshvara Temple, Bhubaneswar – Shiva Temple No I

Mukteshvara Temple, Bhubaneswar – Shiva Temple No I

This temple is situated within the Muktesvara Temple Complex. The temple was constructed in 10^th century CE by Somavamsis. The temple is facing towards east. The temple seems to be a votive temple. The temple consists of a rekha vimana and square on plan. The temple is pancharatha on plan and triangabada in elevation. The sanctum enshrines a Shiva Linga within a circular yonipitha.

Mukteshvara Temple, Bhubaneswar – Shiva Temple No III

Mukteshvara Temple, Bhubaneswar – Shiva Temple No III

This temple is situated within the Muktesvara Temple Complex. The temple was constructed in 10^th century CE by Somavamsis. This temple is considered as the parivara shrine of Muktesvara. The temple is facing towards east. The temple consists of a rekha vimana and square on plan. The temple is pancharatha on plan and triangabada in elevation. The sanctum enshrines a Shiva Linga within a circular yonipitha.

Mukteshvara Temple, Bhubaneswar – Shiva Temple No IV

Mukteshvara Temple, Bhubaneswar – Shiva Temple No IV

This temple is situated within the Muktesvara Temple Complex. The temple was constructed in 10^th century CE by Somavamsis. The temple is facing towards east. The temple consists of a rekha vimana and a shallow frontal porch. The vimana is rectangular on plan. The temple is triratha on plan and triangabada in elevation. The sanctum enshrines a Shiva Linga within a circular yonipitha over a pedestal.

The pedestal and niche on the rear wall indicate that this shrine might have been dedicated to some other god or goddess of Hindu pantheon in earlier times. Dvarapalas at the base and Navagrahas on the architrave can be seen on the doorjambs. Ganesha, Kartikeya and Parvati are the parsvadevta niches located around the sanctum walls.

Mukteshvara Temple, Bhubaneswar – Shiva Temple No VI

Mukteshvara Temple, Bhubaneswar – Shiva Temple No VI

This temple is situated within the Muktesvara Temple Complex. The temple was constructed in 10^th century CE by Somavamsis. This temple is considered as the parivara shrine of Muktesvara. The temple is facing towards east. The temple consists of a rekha vimana and square on plan. The temple is pancharatha on plan and triangabada in elevation. The sanctum enshrines a Shiva Linga within a yonipitha. The exterior is devoid of any decoration except an udyotasimha in the frontal raha projection.

Mukteshvara Temple, Bhubaneswar – Shiva Temple No VII

Mukteshvara Temple, Bhubaneswar – Shiva Temple No VII

This temple is situated within the Muktesvara Temple Complex. The temple was constructed in 10^th century CE by Somavamsis. The temple is facing towards west. The temple consists of a rekha vimana and square on plan. The temple is pancharatha on plan and triangabada in elevation. The sanctum enshrines a Shiva Linga within a circular yonipitha. The exterior is devoid of any decoration except a chaitya medallion carving on the frontal raha projection.

Mukteshvara Temple, Bhubaneswar – Shiva Temple No VIII

Mukteshvara Temple, Bhubaneswar – Shiva Temple No VIII

This temple is situated within the Muktesvara Temple Complex. The temple was constructed in 10^th century CE by Somavamsis. The temple is facing towards west and stands over a raised platform. The temple consists of a rekha vimana and square on plan. The temple is pancharatha on plan and triangabada in elevation. The sanctum enshrines a Shiva Linga within a circular yonipitha.

Mukteshvara Temple, Bhubaneswar, Odisha

Mukteshvara Temple, Bhubaneswar, Odisha

Mukteshvara Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Bhubaneswar, the state capital of Odisha, India. This temple is considered as the gem of Kalingan architecture. It is one of the oldest temples in Bhubaneswar and the most prominent tourist attractions of the city.

History

The temple was built in 950 CE by the King Yayati I Mahasivagupta (922 – 955 CE) of Somavamshi Dynasty. This temple is believed to be built after the Parashurameshvara Temple and built before the Brahmeswara Temple. This temple is protected as monuments of national importance by the central Archaeological Survey of India. This temple is also under the control of Lord Lingaraj Temple Management Trust.

The Temple Complex

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2023/05/mukteshvara-temple-bhubaneswar-temple-complex.html

Festivals

Shivarathri, Kartika Purnima, Sankranti, Sitalasasti, Durga Puja and Jalasaya are the festivals celebrated here. The Odisha tourism department organizes a three-day yearly dance festival called Mukteswara dance festival in the temple premises. This festival celebrates the features of Odissi, the classical dance form of Odisha and Odissi music, the classical music of the same tradition.

Connectivity

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2023/05/mukteshvara-temple-bhubaneswar-connectivity.html

Location

Metakani Temple, Ulunda, Odisha

Metakani Temple, Ulunda, Odisha

Metakani Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Goddess Metakani located at Rengali inside dense forest near Ulunda Village in Ulunda Block in Subarnapur District in Odisha, India. The name of the goddess is believed to have been originated from a lady called Meta. The temple is very famous among the local people. Animal sacrifices are performed in this temple on every Tuesdays and Saturdays. Photography is strictly prohibited inside the temple premises. 

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 8 Kms from Ulunda, 22 Kms from Sonepur, 24 Kms from Sonepur Bus Stand, 59 Kms from Sambalpur, 62 Kms from Sambalpur Junction Railway Station, 110 Kms from Jharsuguda and 119 Kms from Jharsuguda Airport. The temple is situated at about 2 Kms through Rengali range from the Sambalpur to Sonepur road (SH 15).

Location