Ekameswar Temple

Ekameswar Temple is a historic Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in the Old Town area of Bhubaneswar, Odisha, within the sacred Ekamra Kshetra. Built in the Kalinga architectural style, it is notable for its curvilinear shikhara, sandstone carvings, and association with the city's Shaivite heritage. Situated near Bindusagar Lake and Lingaraj Temple, it represents an important example of early medieval temple architecture in eastern India.

Visitors can expect a compact sandstone temple compound in the dense Old Town temple precinct, centered on a rekha deul vimana with carved walls and a small jagamohana. The setting includes narrow lanes, adjacent shrines and residential surroundings. Inside, devotees offer prayers at the Shiva lingam. The temple is generally quieter than Lingaraj Temple, allowing close observation of Kalinga-style sculpture, stone detailing and daily worship rituals in a historic urban religious environment.

Ekameswar Temple is attributed to the Somavamsi dynasty period, around 10th to 11th century CE, and exemplifies early Kalinga temple architecture in sandstone. It forms part of the Ekamra Kshetra temple cluster that documents the evolution of Odishan temple style from early flat-roofed shrines to the mature rekha deul form seen in later larger temples.

The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva worshipped as Ekameswar and is part of the Shaivite pilgrimage tradition of Ekamra Kshetra. It remains an active place of worship for local devotees, with special observances during Maha Shivaratri and daily rituals, reflecting the living religious heritage of Bhubaneswar's Old Town.