Lingaraj Temple

Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar is the largest temple in Odisha and one of the finest examples of Kalinga temple architecture in India. Built in the 11th century, predominantly during the reign of the Somavamshi king Yayati I, the temple is dedicated to Harihara, a combined form of Shiva and Vishnu, reflecting the syncretic religious traditions of medieval Odisha. The main tower (deul) rises to a height of 55 metres and dominates the skyline of Bhubaneswar's old town. The temple complex contains over 150 smaller shrines within its enclosure walls. The sandstone carvings on the exterior walls depict gods, celestial nymphs, erotic figures, and scenes from daily life in extraordinary detail. The temple is an active place of worship and entry is restricted to Hindus, though a viewing platform outside allows others to observe. Bhubaneswar itself, known as the City of Temples, once had over a thousand temples and Lingaraj remains the centrepiece of this extraordinary concentration of sacred architecture.