The Odisha Government recently took the decision to restrict public access to Lingaraj Temple following reports of four sevayats (priests) testing positive for Covid-19. This comes after the government’s decision in August 2020 to give the temple a facelift, in an attempt to restore it to its pre-350-year structural status.
Lingaraj Temple Overview
Lingaraj Temple, constructed during the 11th century AD, is devoted to Lord Shiva. It is regarded as the largest temple of Bhubaneswar, the capital city of Odisha. Believed to be erected by Somvanshi King Yayati I, the temple was built using red stone, and reflects the Kalinga style of architecture perfectly.
The temple is split up into four sections: Garbha Griha (sanctum sanctorum), Yajna Shala (prayer hall), Bhoga Mandap (offering hall), and Natya Shala (dance hall). The extensive temple complex also houses one hundred and fifty subsidiary shrines.
Lingaraj is known as ‘Swayambhu’ – a self-originated Shivling. The temple symbolizes the amalgamation of Shaivism and Vaishnavism sects in Odisha. One of the primary attractions in the temple is the Bindusagar Lake, situated to the north of the temple.
Significance of Lingaraj Temple
The completion of the Lingaraja Temple coincided with the emergence of the Lord Jagannath cult (who is considered as an incarnation of Lord Vishnu). Known as Hari-Hara, the presiding deity in the Temple is a symbol of both Lord Vishnu (Hari) and Lord Shiva (Hara). This fusion of dual deities underscores the syncretisation of two major Hindu sects: Shaivism and Vaishnavism.
Visitor Restrictions
Non-Hindu visitors aren’t allowed entry into the temple. The ruling is strictly observed due to religious and sacred reasons, ensuring only followers of Hinduism have access to the revered abode of deity Hari-Hara.
Attractions in Proximity
The surrounding landscape of the temple has much to offer. Bindusagar Lake, located on the north side of the Lingaraj Temple, adds a serene touch to the temple surroundings. There’s also Ekamra Van, a garden on the western bank of Bindusagar which owes its name to ancient Hindu texts, where Bhubaneswar, was once called Ekamra Van, or a forest of a single mango tree.
Other significant monuments in Odisha include Konark Sun Temple (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Jagannath Temple, Tara Tarini Temple, and the Udaygiri and Khandagiri Caves.
Kalinga Architecture
Indian temples generally fall into one of four architectural styles: Nagara, Vesara, Dravida, and Gadag. However, temple architecture in Odisha represents an entirely different category for its unique representations, known as the Kalinga style of temple architecture.
In this style, a temple is typically constructed in two parts: a tower (deula) and a hall (jagmohan). Architectural motifs and a profusion of figures lavishly embellish the walls of both the deula and the jagmohan. This type of architecture is categorised into three distinct types of temples: Rekha Deula, Pidha Deula, and Khakhara Deula. These are associated with various deities, such as Vishnu, Surya, Shiva, Chamunda, and Durga.