I love travelling to new places and more importantly exploring them on my foot. It allows me to learn new culture, meet common people , know about the language , food, costumes and many other things. During my last trip to Bhubaneshwar, I wander out to differrnt place to enjoy my trip and in one such walk I reached out to the famous Lingaraj temple.
Bhubaneswar is a home of lots of hindu temple. Infact the state is known as "temple city of India" After making it to, Jagannath Temple, Konark temple, Nandan Kanann Park, I made a personal visit to this Lingaraj temple which is largest temple of Bhubaneshwar. The followers of the Hindu religion have great regard for this temple. Lingaraj Temple is a temple of the Hindu god Shiva. The deity Lingaraj is half Shiva and half Vishnu. The temple are revered by the Hindu group of people with utmost faith. It is regarded that Lord Rama also worshipped in this temple before killing the Demon king Ravana. With so much of fame and mythological historical aspect, I went ahead to explore the place.
My exploration to this temple cut short when I was asked to keep my electronic gadget outside at the entrance. There was a strict checking at the temple gate and no mobile or camera or even ladies purses are allowed inside the temple. Locker room are available right beside the gate to keep your item safe. However, being alone at the spot, I decided not to keep them. I offer my prayers from outside the temple entrance. This made travel memories restricted merely to a walk at the place.
The temple is very different from it's very first look. While most of the Shiva temple has trishul on top of the temple, this temple has bow and arrow. It was placed right on top which associate the place with Lord Rama. As I reached to the entrance gate, there was a huge crowd gathered. Some confused some worried and many excited to offer their prayers. The temple entrance structure was magnificently made, which is very colorful
The temple showcases the artistic and architectural excellence of ancient Odisha. The first impression of the temple showcase the artistic touch given at the place. The temple is a source of inspiration for contemporary artists and architects. Many visitors were keep glueing their eyes at the besutiful structure.
Outside the gate, there were police personal, who were making sure Noone could breach the security. I made a friendly appearance to them and learned the reason for such strictness. They told me that, "the temple follows a strict schedule of rituals and ceremonies that are performed by the priests throughout the day." So mobile or camera may create disturbance to them. Also banning these electronic equipments ensure sanctum of the place. To know more about the historical and inside story check this page
I kept moving outside the big parking compound trying to capture and learn more of the place.
The site to the east of Lingaraja Temple made me stop. The Green water body, right in front of temple surely pull anyone's attraction. It was large pond / tank known as Devi Padahara Pond.
It does not appears to be any other normal pond. The main attraction of the pond area are the small temples. The pond is surrounded by 108 small temples and lingas, which makes the place very intriguing.
Getting down to pond or near to these temples are not allowed. However there is a history associated with them too.
Devi Padahara Pond is thought to have been constructed by the Somavamshi dynasty king Yayati I sometime between 922 and 955 A.D.
The legend says :
when Lord Shiva visited Ekamra Kshetra (currently Bhubaneshwara) with Goddess Parbati, he was bamboozled by the aura of the place and thus, decided to stay here. However, two demons namely Kriti and Krutibas who were ruling the Kshetra tried hammer and tongs to get the Lord evicted. In a bid to defeat the demon duo, Goddess Parbati dressed up as a milkmaid and kicked the demons to hell, killing them.“The demon duo was pushed into hell and the point through which they were pierced into it caused the place to develop into a pond.”
I took enoigh time to capture the pond. The mosses over the years turns the water Green.
It was worth of a walk around the pond. There are some rituals too carried out during some festivals and the pond is connected with the Lingaraj temple. It was a good walk. Atleast I did not get inside, but still there was enough to explore outside. After spending a good hours. It was some cooling time and I enjoyed some ice cream selling outside the temple compound.
It gives an immense pleasure to enjoy the ice cream after a hectic walk around of the place in middle of the day. The place is worth for a visit. Even though non Hindus are not allowed inside the temple, but there is enough outside to make a memorsble trip. May be some day, I get inside the temple to share some more stories. Till then enjoy the walk.
