Orissa-Today.com

Orissa is blessed with numerous ancient Temples. The state of Orissa is located in the Eastern Costal region of India. Networking of Temples form a Golden Triangle in Orissa. The cities Bhuvaneshwar, Puri and Konark comprise to form Golden Triangle where hundreds of temples are located. The innumerous temple in Orissa is a clear evidence of the fascination of the kings on the temple construction.

Bhubaneshwar is known as the Temple City, as the name indicates, it is rich of temples. More than 600 temples are located in Bhubaneshwar.

Some known Temples are

• Lingaraj Temple is dedicated to lord hari-hara. Each and every wall is filled with artwork done by their ancestors, which reveals the rich heritage and cultural ampleness once existed in Orissa. This great Temple is the concept of Lalatendu Keshari of Somavamsi dynasty in 11th century AD
• Rajarani Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. This temple is built with reddish sandstones. In local language this reddish stone called Rajarani. The temple dates back to the architectural work in 11th century.
• Vaital deul, one of the ancient temples said to be built in 8th century. The walls are covered with the carvings of different forms of Lord Shiva and Parvathy. You can see the splendid sculptural work over here.
• Muktheshwar Temple is constructed in the year 950 AD, dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is believed that the water in the holy well can cure infertility.
• Parasurameshwar Temple is a very old temple built in 7th century .The architecture and the artworks of the temple accurately convey the story of Mahabharatha. The carving on the walls depicts Hindu Deities.
• Brahmeshwara Temple was built in 1061 AD. Lord Shiva is worshipped here. Kolavathy builds Brahmeshwara Temple, mother of Somavamsi king Udyotakesari.The carved interior and sculptural work demonstrate the skill of the Orissan artists.
• Ananta Vasudeva Temple, dates back to 13th century is dedicated to Lord Krishna. It is one of the Viashnavite temple situated in the banks of Bindu Sarovar Lake.

Some other important temples in Bhuvaneshwar are Bakeshwara Temple, Bhagawati Temple at Banapur near Bhubaneswar, Bhaskareswara Temple, Bhavani Shankara Temple, Chitkarini Temple, Dakra Bhimeswara Temple.

Puri is one of the oldest cities in Orissa; Temples in Puri are the major tourist attractions.

• Lord Jaganath Temple is built by Raja Ananta Varman Chodaganga Dev in12th century. It is one of the biggest temple in Orissa is dedicated to Lord Krishna. There is an interesting story behind the construction of the temple is that, the king Indrayamuna saw Lord Krishna in his dreams asking him to construct a Temple. He constructed the Temple for fulfilling his dream. The major attraction of the temple is ‘Ratha Yathra’ conducted every year.
• Gundicha temple is believed to be the home of Lord Krishna’s aunt Gundicha. It was built in 16th century.
• Lokanath Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, built in 11th century. Devotees believe that a visit to the temple will give them a relief from the disease they are suffering. It is believed that the Shivling (the deity) of the temple was installed by Lord Ram.
• Daria mahabir Temple is a small temple dedicated to Swami Hanuman.

Some other temples in Puri are Sunaragauranga Temple, Daria Mahabir Temple, Tota Gopinatt Temple, Panchatirtha Temple, Astachandi Temple, Astashambhu Temple.

• Konark Sun Temple situated in Konark is dedicated for God Sun. Raja Narasingh Deya-1 of Ganga Dynasty builds it in 13th century. An interior carving comprises the seven-spirited horses on 12 pair of finely decorated wheels. Konark Natya Mandap is another attraction of the temple. Konark Sun Temple reveals the prominence of temple architecture of Orissa. The temple will host the live traditional dance shows every year.
• Akandalamani Temple is situated the district of Bhandrak. The Temple is dedicated to     Lord Shiva. Devotees are believed that Deity of this temple can cure the snakebite and incurable disease they are suffering from.
• Baladevajewn Temple in Bhuvaneshwar is also known as ‘Tulasi Kshetra’, is dedicated to Lord Baladeva.
• Bhattarika Temple is located on the banks of river Mahanadi. Temple is dedicated to Godess Bhattarika. Major attraction of the temple is Durga Pooja on the day of Mahashtami.
• Gauri-Shankara-Ganesha Temple is situated in Bhuvaneshwar dedicated to Ganesha.The carving of the Temple is left incomplete. The Temple is almost broken up.
• Gupteshwar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva .The Deity is inside the rock cut cave where Mahashivaratri is conducting.
• Srikrishna Balaram Temple is constructed and maintained by International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). Temple is attracting many devotees from western countries by conducting academic work.
• Madhava Temple is built in 13th century, is dedicated to both Lord Krishna and Durga. Madhava Temple is situated on the banks of  Prachi River.

As the state of the Orissa is crowded with temples, it is not an easy job to listing out the names of the temple one by one. But the same time each and every temple constitutes its own notable peculiarities.

Some more temples in Orissa

• Kosaleswara Temple at Baidyanath near Solangir
• Kosaleswara Temple at Patnagarh near Sonepur
• Kotitheertheswara Temple at Bhubaneshwar
• Kutopokhari Temple at Remuna near Balasore
• Lakshmaneshwara Temple ruins at Bhubaneshwar
• Lakshmi Narasimha Temple at Amareshwar near Konarak
• Lakshmi Narasimha Temple at Nuapatna near Bhubaneshwar
• Lakshmi Narayana Temple at Chaurasi near Konarak
• Kenduli Temple ruins at Kenduli near Konarak
• Kosaleswara Temple at Anandapur