About Bhaskareswar Temple
Bhaskareswar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located on Tankapani Road in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. It is notable for housing a 9-foot (2.7 m) monolithic Shiva lingam, one of the tallest in Odisha. Built in the 13th-14th century during the Eastern Ganga period, the temple exhibits Kalinga architecture and is unusual for being west-facing. It remains an active place of worship within the Temple City of Bhubaneswar.
Visitors guide
Visitors can expect a compact temple compound with a two-storey pidha vimana built in Kalinga style. The main sanctum is on an elevated platform and enshrines the massive west-facing Shiva lingam that occupies most of the ground floor and is visible from the upper level. The surroundings are urban and accessible by road, with a small courtyard for circumambulation, prayer and photography. The atmosphere is that of an active Shaivite shrine with daily worship.
Key highlights
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9-foot monolithic Shiva lingam, among the tallest in Odisha
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West-facing sanctum, unusual for Shiva temples in Bhubaneswar
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Two-storey vimana in Kalinga architectural style
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13th-14th century Eastern Ganga period construction
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Active Shaivite worship centre in the Temple City of Bhubaneswar
History of Bhaskareswar Temple
The temple is dated to the 13th-14th century and attributed to the Eastern Ganga period. It is built in the Kalinga style with a pidha vimana and is noted for its architectural peculiarity of a west-facing lingam and a two-storey sanctum designed to accommodate the exceptionally tall monolithic lingam.
Culture & Context
Dedicated to Lord Shiva as Bhaskareswar, the temple is an important Shaivite shrine in Bhubaneswar. It is actively worshipped and sees increased gatherings during Maha Shivaratri and Mondays in the month of Shravan. The large lingam is revered by devotees and represents the continuing Shaivite tradition of the Temple City.
Route
| By air |
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