Lingaraj Temple

Towering over the city of Bhubaneshwar in the Eastern Indian state of Odisha, is the Lingaraj temple. The temple complex is over 1100 years old, covers an area more than 250,000 square feet and rises 180 feet into the sky.

It is Bhubaneshwar’s main landmark and best-known tourist attraction as well.

History Of Lingaraj Temple

The temple’s name, Lingaraj, translates as “King of Lingam” which is the sacred symbol of Shaivism. The temple is used as a place of worship for the deity Harihara, the combined form of Vishnu and Shiva.

The present day complex can be traced back to the 11th century, but there is evidence to support the idea that the temple was actually built in the 7th century, by Lelat Indra Kesari, who reigned from the year 615 to 657.

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