🔴 EXCLUSIVE ସାପ ରୂପରେ ଆସିଥିଲେ ମହାପ୍ରଭୁ ଲିଙ୍ଗରାଜ Mysterious Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar

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Script, Direction & Editing : Pradeep Kumar Jena
Camera : Nilakantha Sahoo, Umakanta Behera
Guest : Sachikanta Pujapanda
The imposing temple standing at 180 ft strikes awe and respect amongst its visitors. Built during the 11th century AD. The temple has been described as “One of the finest examples of purely Hindu Temple in India” by noted critic and historian James Fergusson (1808-1886). The temple marks the culmination of the temple architecture in Bhubaneswar which was the cradle of the Kalinga School of Temple Architecture. The sprawling temple complex has one hundred and fifty subsidiary shrines. Lingaraj is referred to as ‘Swayambhu” – (self-originated Shivling). Another important aspect of the temple is that it signifies the syncretisation of Shaivism and Vaishnavism sects in Odisha. The Shivling is known as Hari Hara. Perhaps the rising cult of Lord Jagannath which coincided with the completion of the Lingaraja Temple had a role to play. The other attraction of the temple is the Bindusagar Lake, located in the north side of the temple. The 1300 ft long and 700 ft wide lake is the centre of activities for the people of Old Town and is the hub of temple festivities.
On the western banks of Bindu Sagar, lies the beautiful garden of Ekamra Van named after the Hindu mythological texts where Bhubaneswar the capital city of Odisha was referred as Ekamra van or a forest of a single mango tree. The garden is home to a variety of plants traditionally associated with Hindu gods and goddess and having spiritual and medicinal significance.
Festivals : Shivaratri – held in the month of Feb/March – a festival where a woman fasts and prays for the long life of her husband and Rukuna Ratha Yatra held on Ashokastami (around April)- where the representative of Lord Lingaraja - Lord Chandrashekhara visits the maternal aunts home. Rukuna Ratha Yatra – literally means the chariot which doesn’t take a U-turn. Both these festivities draw huge crowds to the temple.
The largest and the most sacred shrine of the Temple City Bhubaneswar is the Lingaraj Temple. The temple is devoted to Lord Harihara, which essentially means it is dedicated to Hari (Lord Vishnu) and Hara (Lord Shiva). Built in the 11th century, this place of worship houses a Swayambhu (self-manifested) Shivalinga, which is believed to be 8 feet in diameter and 8 inches tall. An architectural wonder, the Lingaraj Temple is the top tourist attraction of the city; however, it can only be visited by Hindus.
A platform has been built outside the complex for non-Hindus to get a glimpse of this magnificent ancient structure. Thousands of devotees flock the temple across the year, but this number increases significantly on festivals like Mahashivratri and Ashokastami that are celebrated with much fanfare in its premises. Built in Kalinga architectural style, the temple boasts of finely carved sculptures on the walls of the temple. Spread over a huge area, the temple complex also features 150 smaller shrines. The height of the tower of the main sanctum is quite high and can be seen from a distance.
History of Lingaraj Temple, Bhubaneswar : According to historical accounts, the Lingaraj Temple was built in the 11th century by Jajati Keshari, who was a Somvanshi king. However, there is a belief that the Swayambhu Shivalinga in the temple was worshiped even in the 7th century. As per mythological studies, the temple finds its name in Brahma Purana, which is an ancient Hindu scripture dedicated to Lord Brahma. An interesting aspect of the shrine is that it signifies the coming together of two major sects of Hinduism - Shaivism and Vaishnavism. Every year, festivals like Mahashivaratri, Ashokashtami and Chandan Yatra are celebrated in the temple with loads of enthusiasm. Among these, Mahashivaratri is the most important one; it is celebrated in the Phalgun month of the Hindu calendar. On this day, thousands of devotees visit the temple to make offerings to Lord Shiva. Many devotees also keep fast through the day and break it at night, after a Mahadipa (big illuminated earthen lamp) is raised atop the temple. Chandan Yatra is a 21-day festival that begins on the auspicious day of Akshaya Tritiya. During this festival, the idols of the deities are taken to the Bindu Sarovar and a procession is performed in the water in beautifully decorated narrow boats called Chapa. The idols are then sanctified with Chandan (sandalwood paste) and water.
The annual Car Festival or Rath Yatra of Lord Lingaraj is called as Ashokashtami. It is celebrated with much fervor on the eight day of Chaitra month (March/April) as per the Hindu calendar. During the festival, the idol of Lord Lingaraj is taken to the Rameswar Temple (also called as Mausi Maa Temple) in a decorated chariot.
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