The Temple
Lingaraj Temple: Epitome of Medieval Orissan Architecture
The Lingaraj Temple of Bhubaneswar, by far the best archeological monuments of eastern India, stands as a fine exponent of Orissan architecture. Soaring as high as 180 feet (55 meters), the architectural splendour dominates the entire landscape of Bubaneswar within an area of about ten miles. The Temple stands majestically among 150 other smaller shrines within a spacious compound of laterite measuring 520 feet in length and 465 feet in breadth, with gates in the east, north and the south. The Lingaraja is very much in active worship, and the entrance to the temple compound is prohibited to the non-Hindus.
Variously described as "the quintessence of the Kalinga architecture", "the time quintessence of Orissan architecture", "a hollow pyramid composed of several superimposed chambers", the temple as it stands now dates back to the 11th c. AD. But Sanskrit texts hold that there existed a stone temple here as early as the 7th c. AD, and remnants of this antique structure appear in the extant building. The temple was built by Lalatendu Keshari of Somavamsi dynasty in 617-657 A.D.The 'natamandapa'and 'bhogamandapa' (offering hall) were later added to the temple is endorsed by the fact that they are built of an altogether different type of sandstone and their sculptures bear the obvious signs of the artistic development and peculiarties of a later period. It was completed by Yayati Keshari(1025-1040 AD). This temple was built at a time when the Jagannath cult was at its peak. This is examplified by the fact, that Swayambhu Linga - half vishnu, half shiva, is the presiding deity here. There is an element of harmony within religion here as is evident by the presence of all Hindu gods and goddesses. There are 150 subsidiary shrines within the immense Lingaraja complex, many of them extremely interesting in their own right.
The temple is a "pancha-ratha deula" having close architectural affinities to the Brahmesvara, another great temple of Bhubaneswar . The deul (tower) of the Lingaraja reaches a height of just over 180 feet (55 meters). It is completely curvilinear, and the extraordinary soaring tower can be seen to incorporate miniature replicas of itself, in turrets inserted on the ribs of the spire. The Lingaraj temple has a three-chambered frontal component consisting of the Jagmohana (porch), the Natamandira (hall of dance) and the Bhogamandapa (hall of offering). The Natamandira was undoubtedly associated with the rising prominence of the devadasi system. There are 150 subsidiary shrines within the immense Lingaraja complex, many of them extremely interesting in their own right.The images of Ganesa, Kartikeya and Parvati appear respectively in the southern, western andnorthern niches of the temple. The life size images of parsva-devta are all made up of chlorite. Except for the image of Ganesha, these magnificient images have been sadly mutilated.
Unlike most of the other important temples in Bhubaneswar, the Lingaraja is very much in active worship, and entrance to the temple compound is prohibited to non-Hindus. Unfortunately, they cannot be visited by non-Hindus. There is a viewing platform to one side, however, from which a good look at the compound and the main buildings is possible.
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