Parasurameswar Temple

Parasurameswar Temple is one of the oldest surviving Hindu temples in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, located in the Old Town near Kedar Gouri. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, it was built around 650 CE during the Shailodbhava period and is an early example of Kalinga Nagara architecture. Notable for its curvilinear vimana, intricately carved sandstone walls, sculptures of Shiva legends, and Archaeological Survey of India protection, it marks the beginning of temple architecture in the city.

Visitors can expect a compact, well-preserved sandstone temple complex set in a quiet residential area of Old Town. The main shrine features a vimana with detailed carvings, a jagamohana (assembly hall), and outer walls covered with sculptures of deities, amorous couples, animals and floral motifs. The surroundings are open with a small courtyard, allowing close viewing of early Kalinga architectural details. The atmosphere is calm and primarily for sightseeing, photography of exteriors, and worship.

Built around 650 CE during the Shailodbhava dynasty, Parasurameswar Temple is the oldest surviving temple in Bhubaneswar and marks the formative phase of Kalinga temple architecture. It shows the transition to the Nagara style with its rekha vimana and early sculptural program. The temple is protected as a monument of national importance by the Archaeological Survey of India and provides key evidence for the evolution of Odishan temple design.

Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple is an important Shaivite shrine and part of Bhubaneswar's identity as a temple city. Its sculptures reflect 7th-century religious art, iconography and social life, and it remains an active place of worship and cultural heritage for visitors interested in Odisha's temple traditions.