9 amazing temples in Odisha
If you are planning to visit some of the most architecturally distinctive temples in India, then it is best to visit the temples in Odisha. The architectural works you see in the temples of Mount Odi are well known among tourists from all over the world. Thousands of people come to Odisha to visit temples in Odisha just to explore the sculptures and fine architectural works on the temples. There are many beautiful temples in Odisha.
Let us know the top 9 temples in Odisha in detail:
1. Jagannath Temple at Puri of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra:
Char Dham pilgrimage site is very important and important for Hindu devotees. Located in the coastal town of Prith, Sri Jagannath Temple is one of four Char Dham sites built in the 12th century. Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra are the main deities of the temple. Lord Jagannath is a form of Lord Vishnu. The famous Chariot Festival or RathYatra is the temple’s most prominent festival and is very popular. The temple is famous for its annual Rath Yathra, where the three main temple deities are adorned in temple cars. The wooden statue of Lord Jagannath was replaced with some frightened trees that were carved into exact replicas of the originals.
- Temple fair time: Open all day from 5am to 11pm.
- Temple Address: Jagannath Temple, Pritaruk, Puri District, Odisha – 752001.
- Dress Code: There is no such dress code when entering Jagannath Temple Puri in Odisha.
- how can I get there: By train, get off at Puri railway station, from there it is 7 km to the temple. If you take the road, take the 3.1-kilometer Red Cross Road. By plane, you need to get off at Bhubaneswar Airport and travel.
- Best time to visit: The annual Rath Yatra held at Sri Jagannath Temple is the best time to visit.
- Nearest Attractions: Narendra Sarovara, Chilika Wildlife Sanctuary, Puri Beach, Sudarshan Craft Museum.
[See Also: Famous Beaches in Odisha]
2. Matara Talini Temple near Brahmapur City:
Maa Tara Tarini Temple is one of the oldest pilgrimage centers for the Mother Goddess and one of the four largest Shakti Peethas in India. It is located on Mount Kumari on the banks of the Rashkulia River near the city of Brahmapur in Ganjam district. It is believed that Sathi Devi’s breasts were dropped in temples, and the shrine is known as Matara Devi. Chaitra Mela or Yatra is the most well-known festival here. History aside, there are some mysteries surrounding this temple. This place is very important to Hindus because people believe that if they pray from the heart, Maa Tara Tarini will fulfill all wishes.
- Temple fair time: 5am to 12.35pm, 2.15pm to 9.45pm, nighttime hours may vary.
- Temple Address: Temple Road, near Rushikulya River, Raipur, Odisha 761018.
- Dress Code: There is no specific dress code to visit Maa Tara Tarini Temple.
- how can I get there: By plane, get off at Bhubaneshwar Airport (174 km away), take a train stop at Berhampur 32 km away, then take the road and take a direct bus from Berhampur to Tara Tarini Junction (32 km).
- Best time to visit: Chaitra Mela is the best time to visit this temple.
- Nearest Attractions: Gopalpur Beach, Kiranga Monastery.
3. Konark Sun Temple of the Sun Lord Konark:
The Konark Sun Temple in Konark is a 13th century sun temple, built around 1250. Although the main part of the building is now in ruins, it is shaped like a giant chariot, meticulously carved from stone wheels, walls and pillars. It is dedicated to the sun god Surya. The wheel of the temple is the sundial, which can be used to calculate the time. The Konark Sun Temple was built of black granite, hence the name “Black Tower”. Known for its exquisite stone carvings and architecture, Konark Sun Temple is one of the most crowded temples in Odisha. Every night, starting at 7:00 pm and ending at 8:00 pm, there is a sound and light show for visitors.
- Temple fair time: 6am to 8pm
- Temple Address: Konark, Odisha 752111
- Dress Code: No specific dress code
- how can I get there: By plane, drop off at Bhubaneswar Airport, 64 km away. Take the train and get off at Puri Railway Station, 31 km away, and take the road to Puri Bus Station, 35 km away.
- Best time to visit: The time between 7:00pm and 8:00pm IST is a good time to visit the Konark Sun Temple for a light and sound show.
- Nearest Attractions: Just 3 km from Chandra bhaga beach
4. Ram Mandir, Bhubaneswar:
The temple complex in the center of Bhubaneswar is the Ram Mandir, which contains images of Lord Rama, Lord Lakshman and Goddess Sita. The temple also houses a shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva, Hanumana, and other gods and goddesses. Ram Mandir celebrates several Hindu festivals, the most popular of which are Ram Navami, Vivaha Panchami, Dussehra, Janmashtami, Shiva Ratri and Pana Sankranti. The temple holds a market every year at Raksha Bandhan, which attracts a lot of people. Temple hours may vary on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, but the usual hours on other days are 6am to 9.30pm. Another outstanding feature of this temple is a special Aarathi offering in the morning and evening, which many tourists visit from all over the country.
- Temple fair time: 6am to 9:30pm
- Temple Address: Naka Gate Chowk, Khandagiri, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751030
- Dress Code: No specific dress code
- how can I get there: By bus, take bus No. 333 and get off at Zhongmen Station. Alternatively, take bus 405, 423 and get off at The World stop.
- Best time to visit: Dussehra, Janmashtami, Ram Navami, Pana Sankranti, Shiv Ratri and Vivah Panchami are the best time to visit the city.
- Nearest Attractions: Isckon Temple, Orissa Modern Art Gallery, Tribal Art and Heritage Museum, Biju Patnaik Park, Udayagiri Cave, Nandankanan Zoo.
5. Dhabaleswar Temple in Cuttack:
Dabareswar Temple is located on the beautiful Dabareswar Island, 37 km from Cuttack, dedicated to Lord Shiva. Located on the banks of the Mahanadi River, the temple has stone carvings dating back to the 10th and early 11th centuries. The main festivals celebrated here are the bazaars of Shiva Ratri, Shukla Paksha Chaturdashi, Pausha Purnima, Dol Purnima and Kartika Purnima. Dhabaleswar Temple is one of the oldest temples in Odisha.
- Temple fair time: 5am to 12:30pm and 1pm to 9pm
- Temple Address: Canal Rd, Ranihat Colony, Cuttack, Odisha 753007
- Dress Code: No specific dress code
- how can I get there: If you are coming by bus, get off at Cuttack, 37k from the temple. By plane, the nearest airport is Bhubaneswar Airport, 14 km from the temple. By train, the nearest local station is Kapilas Road (52 km) and the nearest mail station is Cuttack (38 km)
- Best time to visit: Dol Purnima, Kartik Purnima, Pausha Purnima, Shiv Ratri and Shukla Paksha Chaturdashi are the best time to visit this temple.
- Nearest Attractions: Odisha Maritime Museum, Nandan Kanan Zoo, Balabadi Fort and Kathak Deer Park.
[See Also: Best Odisha Waterfalls]
6. Mukteshvara Temple of Lord Shiva Bhubaneswar:
The Mukteshvara Temple is also located in Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha. Built in the 10th century, this Hindu temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Mukteshvara, meaning “God of Liberty”. The outer walls of the temple complex have niches for Hindu gods and goddesses, such as the goddesses Saraswati, Ganesha and Lakulisha. Every year a three-day dance festival is held in the hotel called Mukteshvar Dance Festival. The temple is located at a height of 35 meters, which is why it is considered an important landmark to study the history and architecture of temples in Odisha. The interior of this temple is beautifully carved with architectural works and sculptures. Although the temple is small, many people visit Mukteswara Temple every day because it is believed that all our wishes will come true if we pray from the heart.
- Temple fair time: 6.30am to 7.30pm all day
- Temple Address: Bhubaneswar, Odisha
- Dress Code: No specific dress code
- how can I get there: The Mukteswara Temple of Lord Shiva is easily accessible by any bus or taxi from Bhubaneswar.
- Best time to visit: The annual Mukteshwar Dance Festival is a great time to visit this temple.
- Nearest Attractions: Ekamra Heritage Walk, Lingaraja Temple, Tribal Art and Heritage Museum and Dhauli giri Hill.
7. Lingaraja Temple, Bhubaneswar:
Lingaraja Temple is one of the oldest temples in Odisha, located in Bhubaneswar. This is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Harihara, the incarnation of Lord Shiva. The temple is built in the Kalinga architectural style. The Deula-style architecture of the temple consists of four parts namely Vimana, Jagamohana, Natamandira and Bhoga-mandapa. The water of the Bindusagar tank is believed to heal mental and physical ailments, which is why pilgrims take a sacred dip in the river during the festival. The main festivals of the temple are Shiva Ratri and RathaYatra. The best time to visit the Lingaraja Temple in Bhubaneswar is during the Sivaratri celebrations. One of the unique features of Lingaraja temples is that the lingam is believed to be of its own origin. Hence it is also called Swayambhu and hence the gods are worshipped as Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva.
- Temple fair time: Open all day from 5am to 9pm
- Temple address: Rath Rd, Lingaraj Nagar, Old Town, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751002
- Dress Code: No specific dress code
- how can I get there: If you are arriving by air, please get off at Biju Patnaik Airport. On the road, there are several buses going to the Mukteswara Temple. If you are coming by train, please get off at Bhubhaneswar station.
- Best time to visit: Shivratri and Monday are the best times to visit this temple.
- Nearest Attractions: Dhauli giri hills, Ekamra heritage wall, Ratnagiri Buddhist excavations and Ashoka rock edicts.
8. Rajarani Temple in Bhubaneswar:
The “Love Temple” that the locals in Bhubaneswar call the Rajarani Temple. Its local name comes from the erotic carvings of women and couples inside the temple. The temple is classified as Saivite based on the niches, but does not specifically enshrine any gods or goddesses. The temple is said to have been built around the 11th and 12th centuries. A three-day Rajarani festival is held every year within the temple, focusing on classical, Hindustani, Carnatic and Odisi music.
- Temple fair time: Open all day – 6.30am to 7.00pm
- Temple Address: Tankapani Rd, Near BOI ATM, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751002
- Dress Code: No specific dress code
- how can I get there: When coming by train, get off at Master canteen chowk, if you are coming by plane, get off at Biju Patnaik Airport.
- Best time to visit: The 3-day Rajarani festival is a good time to visit Rajarani Temple.
- Nearest Attractions: Dhauligiri Shanti Stupa, Isckon Temple, Udaygiri Cave, Vaital deul Temple and Ekamra Kanan.
[See Also: Most Important Festival of Odisha]
9. Gondicha Temple of Lord Vishnu Puri:
The Gundicha Temple in Puri is vacant most of the year, but is an important destination during Puri’s annual RathaYatra. It has images of the gods Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra throughout the 9 days of the Chariot Festival. Known as Jagannath’s Garden Villa, the temple was built in the Kalinga style of architecture. The temple is made of light grey sandstone. The main attraction of this temple is the huge and beautiful gardens scattered around the temple. Therefore, Gundicha Temple is also known as Jagannath’s Garden Home.
- Temple fair time: Open all day from 6am to 10pm
- Temple Address: Puri, Odisha 752002
- Dress Code: No specific dress code
- how can I get there: The nearest airport by air is Bhubaneswar, which is 60 km from the temple. By train, the nearest station is Puri.
- Best time to visit: These nine days…