History Of Lingaraj Temple

 Lingaraja Temple

I am familiar with Lingaraji Temple.

Lingaraj Temple, located in Bhubaneswar, Odisha Province, is the oldest Hindu temple dedicated to Harihara, a combined form of Shiva and Vishnu. The state's most popular tourist destination and attraction, it is the largest mosque in Odisha. The temple is about a thousand years old and forms the Odisha Golden Triangle (Konark, Bhubaneswar and Puri).

Bhubaneswar is a revered pilgrimage site visited by Shinto Shiva and Vishnu. This place is mentioned in the Bhrama Purana and is called Ekamra Kshetra because the god Lingaraja was originally found under the mango tree (Ekamra). The Lingaraja Temple is managed by the Temples Council and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The temple is visited by an average of 6,000 per day and hundreds of thousands of visitors during festivals such as Shivaratri.

History of Lingaraj Temple

"Lingaraj" means King of Lingas and the temple is believed to have moved the capital from Jaipur to Bhubaneswar by the first ruler of the Somavamsi dynasty, Jajati Kesari, in the 8th century. The temple is over 1100 years old and dates back to the last decade of the 12th century. However, there are references to temples in 18th-century sacred texts. In this sacred temple, the god Shiva is worshiped as Tribhuvanesvara, meaning god of the three worlds: heaven, earth and the underworld.

The meaning of Lingaraj Temple

The Lingam in the Lingaraja Temple is a Rayam Swayambu (self-wise form) that only appeared during the Dvapara and Kali Yuga periods. Lingam is a formless natural stone placed on Shakti. These Swayambu lingams are found in 64 different regions of India. The Ganges changed the temples and introduced some Vaishnava elements such as the images of the Dvarapala Vaishnavas, namely Jaya and Prachanda, Jagannath, Lakshmi Narayan and Garuda.

Lingaraj Temple Architecture

The Lingaraj Temple was built in Kalinga's remarkable architectural style. The Lingaraj Temple is located in a large courtyard covering a vast area of ​​2,500,000 square meters and is built of red sandstone. The temple is surrounded by detailed later walls measuring 520 feet and 465 feet. The Shikara, or spire, has elaborate carvings and is 55 meters high. The door to the veranda is made of sandalwood.

The main entrance is to the east, and there are small entrances to the north and south. Built in the field style, the temple consists of four parts: Vimana (the spire, with the main reserve under it), jagamohana (assembly hall), natamandir (festival hall) and bhoga mandapa (offering hall) arranged in descending order . The spacious courtyard houses about 150 small shrines dedicated to various Hindu gods and goddesses. Rekha Deula is a female figure in various poses, with a tall pyramid tower heavily carved.

Holidays related to Lingaraj Temple

shivra tree

Shivratri is the most important holiday in Eight-gun (February-March), with thousands of devotees visiting the temple every year. Celebrations usually take place overnight. Devotees fast throughout the day, allowing Bella to leave Shiva and break the fast after the Maha Dipa (giant sacred lamp) is lit.

rata yatra

The Ratha Yatra or Chariot Festival is held annually in Asokaashtami. The idol is loaded into a wagon and led in a procession to the Temple of Rameshwar Deulah, where thousands of followers drag the chariot of the ornate Lingaraja and her sister Lukhmani.

Chandan Yatra

The festival is a 22-day celebration held at the temple, where the temple gods and subjects are sprinkled with sandalwood and transferred to custom Bindusagar containers.

Sunian Day This festival has been celebrated since the Bhadra royal period (August-September), a day when temple officials, peasants and other residents of the temple grounds show their loyalty and respect to Lingaraj.

Benefits of visiting Lingaraji Temple

A sacred vessel called Bindusagar (meaning "drop of the sea"). The reservoir is located in the Temple of Lingaraj, which, according to Hindu mythology, was filled with an underground river. Water in containers is considered very sacred and is believed to cure many physical and mental disorders.