SHREE LINGARAJ TEMPLE
Bhubaneshwar, The Temple city of India
Shree Lingaraj Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the oldest temple in Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha
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Bhubaneswar, the Temple city of India, derives its name from Tribhubaneswar, i.e. another name of Lord Shiva. It is the city of Lord Shiva and thus, it is also host to one of the prominent Shiva Temples of India, Shree Lingaraj Temple. The largest and the oldest temple of Bhubaneswar, Shree Lingaraj Temple is a major attraction of this city. The uniqueness of Shree Lingaraj Temple lies in the fact that the Shiva Lingam in the sanctum sanctorum is considered to be a self-originated one and is worshipped as both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. Goddess Bhubaneswari or Parvati first discovered the Lingam worshiped under a large mango tree .This area was called as Ekamra Kshetra ruled by two demons Kirti and Basha . Goddess Bhubaneswari killed these demons and for her pleasure Lord Siva build the Holy Bindusagar pond and took the name as Kirtibasha.In history and in Sanskrit scriptures this land is famous as Kirtibasha Cuttack and Ekamra.
The history of Shree Lingaraj temple dates back to around 1,000 years back, in the 11th century. Stories associated with the temple suggest that King Jajati Keshari built the shrine after shifting his capital from Jaipur to Bhubaneshwar. But according to the historians, the temple has been there ever since the 6th century, with the Bhrahma Puran arguing in favour of its existence. The grandeur of Shree Lingaraj Temple is exceptionally overwhelming because of its mighty structure. Built from sandstone and laterite, the main tower stands at 55 meters in height. It is surrounded by 150 smaller temples belonging to the different gods of the hindu pantheon. The holy Bindusagar pond is the largest pond of Bhubaneswar and it's holy water is stretched about 22 acres of land connected with natural streams of water .On it's western side the famous medicinal garden is present.In it's eastern side the famous Shree Anatabasudev temple is present which is famous for it's unique architecture .The pond is the chief spiritual place for practice of meditation and to pay homage to one's 'ancestors'.Shree Lingaraj temple is linked with about 58 nos of subsidiary deities of Bhubaneswar. The holy Mahaprasad of fifty six types are cooked here and offered to Harihar. There is no bar for taking the Mahaprasad like Sri jagarnath Temple of Puri.
The Archaeological Survey of India takes care the the temple.There is a Trust Board constituted by the Commissioner of Endowments, Odisha, Bhubaneswar to look to the Administration & development of the Temple. The daily Nitikanti and festivals of the Lord are performed by different groups of Sevayats assigned anciently by the then King.
There are thirteen numbers of festivals occur throughout the year and among them, Sivaratri, Ashokastami, Chandan Yatra,Sitalsasthi etc. are most attractive. The temple does not close at day hour. The pooja time is ordinarily about 6 AM to 9 PM.
Allahabad Bank, Bhubaneswar, the chief patron of financial transaction of the temple has installed a Hundi inside the temple for offering of donations by the devotees/visitors. There is also provision for offering online donation through temple office website www.lingaraj.in . The donation is utilized for Seva puja of the deities, development of the temple and community. There is regular audit of the accounts of the temple.
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