FIVE TEMPLES YOU MUST VISIT IN ODISHA

 

Let’s start with some glace on Odisha. It is situated in the eastern coast of India surrounded by four states, Jharkhand, Chattisgarh ,West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh.The current population is 44.5 crore with the literacy rate of 75%.The state is protected by the blessings of Lord Jagannath. It’s capital is “The city of Temples” ,that is, bhubaneswar.

Not only Bhubaneswar but the whole Odisha is famous for templs and have nearly 952 temples including big and small.The architecture of these temples are more or less similar and to its zenith. Housing some of the best temples of the country, temples of Odisha are said to have given supreme expression to architecture. Some famous temples are:-

 

 

1-JAGANNATH TEMPLE

 

Built in 11^th century, still takes everyone’s heart with it’s massive and beauty. Situated in Puri ,it is the heart of the state and most eye catchy temple. Also privileged as one of the four dhams of India. Lord Jagannath is accompanied with Lord Subhadra and Lord Balram. The biggest festival in Odisha is Rath Yatra which generally take place in he month of august and starts fron Jagannath temple. It has an unique way of construction which can only be seen and enjoyed and words are not enough to express the same.

 

 

2-KONARK TEMPLE /SUN TEMPLE

 

One of the tourist attractions in Odisha, konark temple represents the intelligence of civil and architecture sense of 13^th century people. Well known as Sun temple, this temple is dedicated to Sun God. It depicts a chariot of Sun God with pillars ,wheels and walls. It’s most important feature is the stone wheel . It is directed towards the east so that the first ray of the sun illuminates its entrance. Though major part of this beautiful temple is ruins, all efforts are being made to revive it.

 

 

3-LINGARAJA TEMPLE

 

Lingaraja temple is situated in Khurdha in Odisha. It is the biggest temple in Odisha with 180 ft height. The temple is dedicated to Lord Lingaraja Who is half Lord Shiva and half Lord Vishnu. It predominantly represents the Kalinga architecture. This temple is built in deula style, similar to Mukteshwar temple, that has four components namely vimana, jagamohana, natamandira and bhoga-mandapa. It is one of the oldest temples of the Temple City Bhubaneswar.

 

 

 

 

4-RAJARANI TEMPLE

 

Built between 10^th and 11^th century, this magnificent temple is located in the heart of Odisha ,that is ,in the capital city Bhubaneswar. This awe-inspiring and alluring piece is made up of reddish-gold sandstone. This reddish-gold sandstone is locally known as rajarani and thus the temple gleaned it’s name.The temple is dedicated to Lord Brahma.

This temple is also ornamented with inventive and astounding sculptural carving and stands and encompassed within a beautiful garden. Rajarani temple is the epitome of grace and elegance .

 

 

5-PARASHURAMESWAR TEMPLE

 

 

This temple was built in 650 AD and is one of the oldest temple existing in Odisha. The temple is beautifully furnished and embellished sculpture of the presiding deity Lord Shiva.The outer walls of the temple has beautiful sculptural deities like Ganesha and Parvati and also of some animals.Parashurameswar represents Shiva as the lord of Parashurama, one of the avatars of Lord Vishnu. According to Hindu legend, the temple derives its name from the reparation of Parashurama and the resultant grace of Shiva. On the 8^th day of Ashadha(June-July) ,Parashuramashtami is celebrated which is one of the major festivals of this temple.It is considered to be the best preserved specimen of an early Orissan Hindu temple.