Tourism

Samhita Wellness make it a point to visit this temple to do pooja. Some of our resident patients do visit this temple often for developing positivity as most people believe, the sanctum sanctorum has profound positive vibes that shower on all. This Lingaraja temple complex has dozens of other shrines and is enclosed by a large compound wall and visitors are engrossed by the beautiful architecture and time flies. Tourists also flock to this temple complex and many curious visitors closely examine the architecture and compare it with other temples they have visited. Usually one can find animated discussions on the temple, the carvings and the way different occasions like Shivratri are celebrated here and elsewhere. Onlookers too join in the fun and a healthy chit chat ends the show.

Lingaraj Temple

The Lingaraj Temple is an ancient temple situated in the old part of Bhubaneswar and is the largest one situated in the city. As the name suggests, the temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It was built in the 7th century by King Jajati Keshari. It is highly revered because of the fact that the Linga here, a manifestation of Lord Shiva, is believed to have appeared naturally. The temple’s height is 8 inches above the floor level and is about 8 feet in diameter as well. The edifice of the temple is a great example of the Odissi style of architecture and has intricately designed stone vaults covering the main sanctum of the temple.  A small temple dedicated to Goddess Bhagwati is located in the northwest corner of the courtyard as well. However, entry is restricted to the followers of the Hindu faith only. The Lingaraj Temple is especially famous for its Mahashivratri celebrations when the whole sanctum is dressed up in flowers, lanterns, and lights. Lingaraj Temple as we know today is believed to have been in place since the 11th century. This shrine was erected by King Jajati Keshari when he shifted his military capital to Bhubaneshwar from Jaipur. However, the historians believe that the temple existed since the 6th century in some other form, as it has been referred to in the 7th-century manuscript, Brahma Puran.

Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves

The caves at Udaygiri and Khandagiri were excavated by King Kharavela of the Mahamegavahana Dynasty from the 2nd and 1st century BCE. King Kharavela reshaped the kingdom of Kalinga as he started to lean towards Jainism. He desired to build the caves for the monks, who were nomads and didn’t want to stay at one place for more than a day. Over 200 centuries ago, when the caves were built, the monsoon lasted for 4 months and it was during this period, the monks required a place to settle down. The chambers in the Khandagiri and Udaygiri hills were resting places for monks. Overlooking the forest and the lush greenery, the monks would feel at home right on nature’s laps. For other than those 4 months, the caves were used as an amphitheater where King Kharavela would call upon a congregation of his subjects and listen to their grievances and host cultural programs there. While walking along with the ruins, one can notice many sculptures eroded that the artisans once carved. The ruined stones from the caves are also used to build many Kalinga-styled temples to preserve the cave’s heritage. The magnificent ancient beauty is a must-go-to place for distinct travelers and is the most popular tourist destination in the Bhubaneswar tour package.

Khandagiri Caves are artificial caves dating back to the 2nd century. These are impressive caves with beautifully carved inscriptions and figures. This place holds a great historical significance. A large number of ancient temples with intricate carvings surround this place which have their own significance.

Located in the town of Konark, 35 km from Puri, Konark Sun Temple, is one of these few sun temples in India. The structure was constructed out of black granite and took 12 years to complete. It marks the highest point of achievement of Kalinga architecture depicting the grace, the joy and the rhythm of life in all its wondrous variety. It was declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1984. The history of Konark Sun Temple and sun worship goes as far back as the 19th century BC. The Konark Sun Temple, however, was built in the 13th century. The Konark Temple was built by King Narasimha Deva I in 1244 to worship Surya, the Sun God. Konark was chosen as its place of construction because it has been described as the holy seat of Surya in various ancient texts.

The temple is in the shape of a chariot, with exquisitely carved wheels and galloping horses. It is said that Surya rode across the sky on his chariot pulled by 7 horses. The platform of Konark is engraved with 24 wheels of the chariot. The numbers 7 and 24 hold a lot of significance. Some say that the 7 horses represent the 7 days of the week, while others say that 7 horses represent the 7 components of white light that we know as the VIBGYOR. Number 7 is said to be a magical number because it’s present all around us, spiritually, historically, and materialistically. The temple’s architecture is an excellent example of the Kalinga style of architecture. The temple is renowned for its artistic splendour and engineering prowess. According to experts, it was designed to allow the first rays of sunlight to fall on the main entrance. Even today, the rays of the sun falling on the wheels that serve as sundials can be used to tell the time. The word “Konark” is a combination of two Sanskrit words: “kona,” meaning “corner” or “angle,” and “arka” meaning “sun.

The temple also features elaborate stone carvings depicting scenes from Hindu mythology. The chariot of the Konark Sun Temple is 100-feet high. But what you see of the temple is what remains of it. Its architecture has all the defining elements of the Kalinga architecture – it includes Shikhara (crown), Jagmohana (audience hall), Natmandir (dance hall), and Vimana (tower). Several legends mention that the architecture of the Konark Surya Mandir is so accurate and intricate that the day’s first light fell on the image of Surya in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple, known as the Garbha Griha. The temple also has intricately carved reliefs of dancers, musicians, animals, and some erotic figures on the plinth of the temple. The entirety of the chariot has carved images of cult icons, and gods and goddesses. The exquisite detail of the temple can only be seen when standing right in front of it. The walls also have carvings of the daily life of the members of the Natmandir.

Sailors once called this Sun Temple of Konark, the Black Pagoda because it was supposed to draw ships into the shore and cause shipwrecks.