Bhubaneswar – The Temple City of India

Introduction: A City Built for the Divine

Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha, is not just an administrative or urban hub—it is a spiritual epicenter of Eastern India, revered as the “Mandira Malini Nagari” (the Garlanded City of Temples). With over 700 temples, ancient shrines, and sacred ponds, Bhubaneswar has been a continuous centre of Shaivism, Vaishnavism, Shaktism, and Buddhism for over 2,000 years.

From the towering Lingaraj Temple to the mystic caves of Khandagiri-Udayagiri, Bhubaneswar represents a cosmic confluence of devotion, architecture, and philosophy. The city is not just named after a deity—it is divinity itself in stone.

Etymology: Why is it called Bhubaneswar?

The name Bhubaneswar comes from “Tribhubaneswar”, meaning “Lord of the Three Worlds”, referring to Lord Shiva.

Mythological Significance:

According to Skanda Purana, Lord Shiva resided here as Ekamra Kanana, a forest of mango trees where Goddess Parvati meditated.
He manifested here as Bhubaneswar (Tribhubaneswar Mahadeva) to grant her wish, and the site became a powerful center of Tantric Shaivism.
The ancient region was originally called Ekamra Kshetra, and the Bhubaneswari Peeth is one of the central Shakti Peethas associated with it.

Spiritual Identity of Bhubaneswar

Aspect	Description
🔱 Presiding Deity	Lord Shiva (Bhubaneswar/Lingaraj)
🌺 Shakti Aspect	Maa Bhuvaneswari (divine consort and ruling Goddess of the region)
🕊️ Philosophical Schools	Shaivism, Shaktism, Vaishnavism, Buddhism, Jainism
🏛️ Architecture Style	Kalinga Nagara Style (Rekha Deula, Pidha Deula, Khakhara Deula)
🗿 Sacred Geography	Part of Ekamra Kshetra – one of the oldest temple cities in India

🛕 Major Temples in Bhubaneswar (Ekamra Kshetra)

1. Lingaraj Temple

Presiding Deity: Harihara (combined form of Shiva and Vishnu)
Built: 11th century CE by Somavamsi kings
Height: ~180 feet
Significance: Most important temple; center of Ekamra Kshetra; sacred to both Shaivites and Vaishnavites
Associated Goddess: Maa Bhuvaneswari

2. Mukteswar Temple

Built: 10th century CE
Style: Known as the “Gem of Kalinga Architecture”
Features: Arched torana (gateway), intricate carvings, tantric motifs
Spiritual Value: Important for Tantric rituals and yogic symbolism

3. Rajarani Temple

Deity: No idol, possibly dedicated to Shiva-Parvati
Built: 11th century CE
Specialty: Erotic carvings, sculptural finesse, musical motifs
Nickname: “Khajuraho of Odisha”

4. Brahmeswar Temple

Built: ~9th century CE
Style: Fusion of Orissan temple elements; Panchayatana plan
Deity: Shiva as Brahmeswar

5. Ananta Vasudeva Temple

Dedicated to: Lord Krishna (Vishnu)
Built by: Queen Chandrika Devi, 13th century
Uniqueness: Only major Vaishnava temple in a primarily Shaivite city
Still offers Mahaprasad like Puri Jagannath Temple

6. Parsurameswar Temple

Period: 7th century CE
One of the oldest temples in Bhubaneswar
Deity: Shiva
Architectural Note: Compact yet intricate structure with Saptamatrika images

7. Chitrakarini Temple

Dedicated to: Five female deities (Matrikas)
Cultural Link: Shows prominence of feminine divine worship in Ekamra

Temples & Sites in Surroundings of Bhubaneswar

Khandagiri & Udayagiri Caves

Period: 1st century BCE
Associated with: Jain Tirthankaras and Emperor Kharavela
Highlights: Hathi Gumpha inscriptions, meditation chambers
Spiritual Note: Important Jain pilgrimage site; seat of early asceticism

Dhauligiri (Dhauli Peace Pagoda)

Period: 3rd century BCE
Emperor Ashoka’s Kalinga War site
Now houses: Shanti Stupa (Peace Pagoda) built with Japanese collaboration
Riverbank: Daya River, where Kalinga War was fought
Relevance: Marks Ashoka’s transformation from conquest to compassion (Buddhism)

Maa Bhuvaneswari – Divine Shakti of Bhubaneswar

Who is Maa Bhuvaneswari?

Fourth of the ten Mahavidyas in Tantra
Represents the queen of the Universe (Bhuvaneswari = “Mistress of the Worlds”)
In Bhubaneswar, she is believed to be the presiding Goddess of Ekamra Kshetra and spiritual consort of Lord Lingaraj
Her shrine lies inside the Lingaraj Temple complex, revered during major Shaiva festivals

Spiritual Significance

Associated with creation, divine order, nurturing energy, and sovereignty
Offers cosmic motherly protection to the entire Kshetra
Worshiped as the core Shakti Peetha of Odisha’s Shaiva-tantric tradition

Spiritual Circuit Around Bhubaneswar

Temple / Site	Location	Highlights
Lingaraj Temple	Central Bhubaneswar	Massive Shaiva shrine
Bindu Sagar Lake	Near Lingaraj	Believed to contain drops from all holy rivers
Kedar Gouri Temple	Old Town	Mythical romance of Shiva-Parvati
Kapileswar Temple	Near Lingipur	One of the Panchakrosa shrines
Vaital Deul (Khakhara Style)	Near Bindu Sagar	Tantric architecture; Goddess Chamunda
Yameshwar Temple	South of city	Shiva as Lord of Time
Chausathi Yogini Temple (Hirapur)	~15 km from city	64 Yoginis in a circular open-air shrine; Tantric Shakti site
Bharati Matha, Bhaskareswar Temple	Various old town sites	Guardian temples of the region

Best Time to Experience Bhubaneswar Spiritually

Festival	Experience
Shivaratri	Grand celebrations at Lingaraj Temple
Ashokastami Rath Yatra	Lingaraj taken to Rameswar temple (mini version of Puri Rath Yatra)
Kartika Purnima	Ritual baths at Bindu Sagar
Durga Puja / Navaratri	Special pujas for Maa Bhuvaneswari and Yoginis

🛕 Why Bhubaneswar is Called the Temple City of India

Over 700 ancient temples within city limits
Continuous temple-building tradition from 7th–13th centuries
Represents three major streams of Hinduism: Shaivism, Vaishnavism, and Shaktism
Spiritual geography rooted in Ekamra Kshetra tradition
Harmonious blend of ritual, tantra, architecture, and sacred urban planning

Feature	Detail
Name Meaning	Bhubaneswar = Lord of the Universe (Shiva)
Ancient Name	Ekamra Kshetra
Core Deities	Shiva (Bhubaneswar/Lingaraj), Maa Bhuvaneswari
Prominent Architecture	Kalinga Temple Style
Famous Temples	Lingaraj, Mukteswar, Rajarani, Brahmeswar, Ananta Vasudeva
Associated Religions	Shaivism, Shaktism, Jainism, Buddhism, Vaishnavism
Nearby Sites	Khandagiri, Dhauli, Yogini Temple
Unique Title	“Temple City of India”
UNESCO Interest Zone	Ekamra Kshetra nominated for UNESCO World Heritage