The Mahaprabhu Lingaraja Temple, Bhubaneswar

As we hear the name of the State Odisha, the first word that comes in our mind is Puri and
Temple of Lord Jagannath. Sri Lord Jagannath Temple situated on the eastern coast of Puri is
one of the most sacred religious institution and also is one of the ‘Dham’ of the Chardhams
which are situated in Indian territorry. Sri Jagannath Temple has made the state Odisha
worldfamous. But, in the capital of Odisha that is in Bhubaneswar, another temple is situated
whose importance and attraction is not less at all. Its the Mahaprabhu Lingaraja Temple or Lord
Lingaraja Temple. In the Lord Jagannath Temple, we receive the blessings of Lord Vishnu itself
but in Lingaraja Temple we are lucky to receive blessings from twin deities, who are the Lord
Vishnu and Lord Shiva. Both the deities are laid on the same Linga( a sacred form of Lord
Shiva) and is worshipped together. In simple words, the temple makes us to visualize a mixed
form of these two deities. Mahaprabhu Lingaraja Temple is the largest Hindu religious site in the
city of Bhubaneswar. The temple has been constructed in eleventh century and the name of
three Kalinga rulers viz. Yajati Keshari, Ananta Keshari and Lalatendu Keshari are found behind
the construction of this temple. The temple attracts firstly due to its height. One hundred and
Eighty feet high temple structure has been constructed completely with limestone and
sandstone. The temple is of Deula Architecture and in the bottom most of the temple is found a
big lotus structure on which the main shrine is situated , above the shrine there is a folded bell
and on the topmost of the temple there is an earthen waterpot. On one hand this temple is
Shivmandir and on another hand this temple is renouned as Vishnumandir too. The Main temple
of Mahaprabhu Lingaraja has four parts, namely Srimandir (where the deity is situated),
Jagmohan, Natmandira and Bhog mandira ( where offerings are made to Lingaraja).
The Linga situated within the temple is a ‘Swayambhu’ linga, which means this Linga has came
into existence on its own through earth. Lord Lingaraja has come into existence in a mixed form
of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu and hence this Linga is also named as ‘Harihara’ Linga. Among
all the Lingas of either Shiva or Harihar which are found in the Indian subcontinent , this Linga is
considered as the Raja or king of all Lingas. So this Linga is named as ‘Lingaraja’. Lord
Lingaraja came into existence through ‘bhumi’ or earth. After his existence, this place was
named as Bhumiswar and later on the city was renamed as Bhubaneswar following the same
custom. The Linga which is situated in the main shrine or Garbhagriha of the temple is totally
different. The Linga is made of precious stone and is of ellyptical flatten shaped, dark colored
and is extremely wide and large in its circumference. In the middle, Lord Vishnu is being
situated in a silver colored portion. On this portion, the carvings of Shankha, Chakra, Gada and
Padma can be depicted. Surrounding this silver portion, the dark colored portion depicts Lord
Shiva and he is surrounding Lord Narayana from all sides. Within this silver colored portion, the
Saligram Shila (a stone form of Lord Vishnu which is considered highly sacred) is hidden and
cannot be visualized by the Pilgrims. Adiguru Shankaracharya is believed to establish Lord
Narayana in this temple. Also it is believed that during the reign of Ganga Dynasty in Kalinga,
this temple is sought to be used also a place for worship of Lord Vishnu and then onwards this
Linga is came to be known as Harihara Linga. The heavenly atmosphere of the main shrine or
the Garbhagriha of the temple is something worth exceptional. The mixed odour and fragrances
of flowers, sandal, camphor, ghee etc. is sufficient to make our mind and soul pure. The Linga
of Lord is secured with railing on one side but even though the pilgrims can visualize the Lord
from all the four sides. At the roof beautiful covering is given on the top. Lord Lingaraja can be
touched and worshipped. Pilgrims are free to offer flowers, sandal paste, tulsi and bel leaves.
To worship this Linga, exclusively both the tulsi and bel leaves are required which is highly
notified. The Sanskrit chants which are used to worship Mahaprabhu Lingaraja comprises both
the names of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. Nice arrangements are made just opposite the
Garbhagriha where the pilgrims can lit lamps and fragrance sticks. Just inside the entrance gate
of the temple, water systems are installed where the pilgrims can make them pure before
entering in the Garbhagriha. The main entrance is opened at six in the morning sharp and is
closed at nine in the evening. During these hours, Lord Lingaraja is bathed a several times and
after the holy bath, flowers, sandal paste and clothes are used to decorate the deity. In the
Bhogmandapa, Bhog is offered to Lingaraja which consists of Coconut, Banana, Curd, flattened
rice etc. Bhogarati is being done for the deity and lastly at night the deity is given its most
sacred, purified and executive look which is the ‘Shringar’. The whole procedure of worship of
Mahaprabhu Lingaraja throughout the day is performed by chanting the pure sanskrit chants
properly.
Mahaprabhu Lingaraja Temple complex is large and stratified and is completely built of stones.
The temple premises has other Hindu deities too namely, Ganesh, Mahakali, Baidyanath Shiva,
Lord Jagannath, Laxmi-Narayan etc. But all the offerings to these temples inside the premises
is done in one place only, that is in the feet of Mahaprabhu Lingaraja. Legend is that a river
branch is originated from the bottom of this temple which is meeting in Bindusagar. Bindusagar
is situated very close to Mahaprabhu Lingaraja temple where various Hindu religious tasks are
performed. The Shikhar of the Temple is visible from the banks of Bindusagar. Mahashivaratri is
one of the main festival of Mahaprabhu Lingaraja Temple when lakhs of pilgrims visit here to
pray Lord Lingaraja.
As Sri Jagannath Temple of Puri has Rathyatra, Chandanyatra and Snanyatra as a part of their
rituals, similar rituals are also performed here yearly. In the temple, Devi Bhubaneswari is also
present as consort of Lord Lingaraja. This temple has brought together the two sects of Hindu
religion that is Shaiva and Vaishnava. The presence of both Lord Narayana and Lord Shiva has
given this temple an exclusively different identity. Both Shivavahana Nandi and Vishnubahana
Garuda is found here in the same place which is rarely found. Presently the Mahaprabhu
Lingaraja Temple has been enlisted under The Archaeological Survey of India. For the sake of
maintenance and devolopment of the Temple, Trustee Committee and Board has been found
but despite of these the Archaeological Survey of India is performing their duty to the greatest
extent to maintain and beautify this Ancient Temple.