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