#Lingaraj_Temple
• Among all the temples of Odisha, the Lingaraj temple at Bhubaneswar deserves special mention.

• It bears architectural splendour and is regarded as one of the best archaeological monument of the east reflecting Kalinga type of architecture with all its perfection.
• It was constructed between 1025 and 1065 A.D. A gigantic structure of about 180 feet high dominating the entire landscape (ପଟ୍ଟ ଭୂମି) at Bhubaneswar.
• The temple stands within a spacious compound(ବିଶାଳ ହତା) of laterite(ମାଂକଡ଼ା ପଥର) measuring 520 by 465 feet surrounded by a number of smaller temples.



• The presiding deity of this temple is known as Tribhubanesvara (Bhubaneswar) from which the city has derived its name.

• The majestic Lingaraja temple has four frontal projected sections such as the Deula, Jagamohana, Natamandira and Bhogamandapa. It can be stated beyond doubt that the Natamandira and Bhogamandapa are later additions.


• The Vimana and Jagamohana of the Lingaraja temple are wonders for the people in general and art-historians, in particular because it is a surprise that how big pieces of rocks could be lifted to such a great height when modern device was quite unknown in that remote phase of history.

• The Jagamohana of the Lingaraja temple is decorated with various sculptures. It had also balustraded (ରେଲିଂକୁ ଧରିରଖିଥିବା ସ୍ତମ୍ବ ଶ୍ରେଣୀ) windows in the north and south, which of course, are closed now.
• The Natamandira and the Bhogamandapa are open halls. The images of Parvati, Ganesa and Kartikeya appear in the northern, southern and western niches of the sanctuary respectively. The life-size images of the Parsva-devatas are made of chlorite (ମୁଗୁନି ପଥର).
• The three distinct Puranic episodes are found on the walls of the sanctuary and of the Jagamohana.
• On the southern door of the Jagmohana, the marriage scene of Lord Siva has been depicted where Siva wears the crown of a bride groom but appears perfectly naked.



• The images of Bhrikuti, Brahma and Parvati are associated with the scene.
• On the southern facade of the sanctuary, a scene is found where Yasoda churns curd and Srikrishna, as a child, disturbs her. The image of Nanda is also associated with it.


• The third episode on the western side of the Vimana is represented with a simple form of Lord Siva's marriage.
• The Lingaraja temple is a rekha deula planned in the Pancharatha style without a Pistha (platform) having Panchangabada.

• The Varanda of the temple contains 10 mouldings beautifully carved. The Janghas are richly decorated and the lower Jangha is ornamented with Khakaramundis.



• The Mastaka, Khapuri and Kalasha of the temple have been arranged very nicely and trisula is the finial (ସର୍ବ ଶେଷ ଅଂଶ) in the temple.

• The beauty of the deula and Mukhasala is very much artistic in nature. Thus, the Lingaraja temple is architecturally magnificent and it represents the matured kalinga-style of artistic excellence.