Located in Bhubaneswar, Orissa, Jalesvara Siva Temple is a
famous temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple was built in 12th century AD.
It is said that the temple was built by Padma Keshari, one of the Keshari
rulers. However, it is not confirmed that the king has his inheritance from the
Somavamsis and there is nothing recorded pertaining to that factor.
Location Odisha, Khurda, Bhubaneswar
Legend
According to the legends, King of Chudangagada was a great
devotee of Lord Lingaraja. The king used to visit the shrine everyday but
during the rainy seasons, it became very difficult for the king to travel. One
night the king had a vision in which the deity advised the King that he should
build a temple in the center of a nearby lotus pond. Lord Shiva told the king
that He is residing there as a Jalasayi (laid in the water). The king
immediately started constructing the temple of Lord Shiva on the western bank
of the Jalesvara pond. The king also gave land grants to the Brahmins of
Rahanga sasan and other Sevayatas to conduct the rituals. That is why the
shrine is also called as Kalarahanga.
Architecture
The Jaleswar Siva Temple Precinct is one of the finest forms
of the kalinga architecture. The mastaka or the head of the temple is 2.30
meters high. It includes the beki, ghanta, amlaka, khapuri and kalasa. The
sanctum measures around 2.00 square meters and the Shiva Lingam has a circular
yonipitha, within the chamber.
The temple structure has four different worth mentioning
ornamentation in the Vimana, Jagamohan, Doorjambs, and Lintel.
Culture
Bhubaneswar, the capital city of Odisha is famous for its
thousand-year-old cultural legacy. The city once housed more than 7,000 shrines
built in the last 2000 years. The Lingaraj Temple, Jaleshwar temple, Paschimesvara
etc are some of the century old temples of Bhubaneswar. Today the city is
balancing the responsibility of enshrining the old heritage shrines as well as
giving space to the modern cultural aspects. The city is now an important tech
hub of the East.
Bhubaneswar is the perfect example of the Indo-Aryan
culture, at the same time the place has also accredited the existence of the
Adivasis (natives) alongside. Their art, architecture and handicrafts project
the enthusiasm the people have towards creative art and some of the Kala are
century old.
The Odissi Dance is one of the finest classical dances in
India. Though, it belongs to the Northern India's Hindustani Classical music,
but still the dance and the music associated with it is exclusive par excellence.
Visitors to Bhubaneswar can explore the State Museum in
Bhubaneswar that enshrines the reminiscences of the valorous past of Kalinga
(the ancient name of Odisha).
Darsan Dresscode
No specific dress code
Special Rituals
Sivaratri, Janmastami, Siva Vivaha, Dolapurnima, Pindadana
and Chandana Yatra
Additional Info
Both veg and non veg food are available.
Supermarket : Available
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