Maha Shivaratri 2023: Top 5 Shiva Temples In Bhubaneshwar You Must Visit

Bhubaneswar: Mahashivratri or the ‘Great night of Shiva’ is one of the most significant and widely celebrated Hindu festivals. Every temple especially dedicated to Lord Shiva becomes overcrowded with devotees on this day.

Odisha’s Bhubaneswar is known as the temple city and most of the temples are dedicated to Lord Shiva. Many of the temples in Bhubaneshwar were built from the 8th-12th centuries AD, during the time Shaivism (worship of Lord Shiva) dominated the religious scene.

Most of the temples in Odisha and Bhubaneshwar are of an architectural design that’s a sub-style of the Nagara-style of north Indian temples.

Most of the temples in Odisha and Bhubaneshwar are of an architectural design that’s a sub-style of the Nagara-style of north Indian temples. It’s a combination of what’s known as rekha and pidha.

The name Bhubaneshwar comes from Shiva’s Sanskrit name, Tribhubaneswar, meaning “Lord of Three Worlds”. Old Hindu scriptures say that Bhubaneshwar was one of Lord Shiva’s favorite places, where he liked to spend time under a huge mango tree.

Here are the top five temples in Bhubaneswar you must visit on Shivaratri:

Lingaraja Temple

The Lingaraj Temple of Bhubaneswar city is one of the oldest temples of Bhubaneswar, dedicated to Lord Shiva. Lingaraja Temple is dedicated to one of the forms of Shiva, known as Harihara, a combined form of Lord both Vishnu (Hari) and Lord Shiva (Hara).

Parsurameswar Temple

The Parsurameswar Temple is one of the best-preserved specimens of Hindu temples and one of the oldest in the state of Orissa. Parsurameswar Shiva Temple is a ticketed monument and should be visited during the major festival celebrated by the temple in June–July.

Mukteswara Temple

Mukteswar temple, 950-975, Bhubaneshwar, Odisha, India, 10th century. The Mukteswar temple was built in the 10th century and it is one of the most sacred monuments of Bhubaneswar. The architectural design of the temple is also known as the Gem of Odisha architecture.

Brahmeswara Temple

Brahmeswara Temple of Lord Shiva is one of the sacred temples of Bhubaneswar. It has a shrine encircled by four subsidiary shrines. The temple city will never disappoint you. The architecture marvel along with the sacred feelings will touch your soul and make your mind filled with divinity.

Kapilesvara Temple

The Kapilesvara Temple is located near the big Lingaraj temple in the old twon of Bhubaneswar city. Kapilesvara Siva Temple is a living temple with presiding deity is a Siva-lingam at the center of a circular yonipitha inside the sanctum.