Lingaraja Temple

✅ It is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva and is one of the oldest temples in Bhubaneswar.

✅ The temple represents the quintessence of the Kalinga architecture and culminating the medieval stages of the architectural tradition at Bhubaneswar

✅ The central tower of the temple is 180 ft (55 m) tall. 

✅ The temple is believed to be built by the kings from the Somavamsi dynasty, with later additions from the Ganga rulers.

✅ Bhubaneswar is called the Ekamra Kshetra as the deity of Lingaraja was originally under a mango tree (Ekamra) as noted in Ekamra Purana, a 13th-century Sanskrit treatise. 

🟡 Architecture 

✅ The temple is built in the Deula style and the temple parts, is divided into four vimana (structure containing the sanctum), jagamohana (assembly hall), natamandira (festival hall) and bhogamandapa (hall of offerings), each increasing in the height to its predecessor. 

✅The temple complex has 50 other shrines and is enclosed by a large compound wall. 

✅ On the main entrance, one can see a trident (Lord Shiva) and Chakra (Lord Vishnu) on the either side of the door. 

✅ Apart from Garbh Griha, the 'Nata Mandir' provides a hint for its close alliance with the devadasi tradition.

✅ Besides the Lingam, the p arsva devta adores the site, where Lord Ganesha, Lord Kartikay and Goddess Parvati are placed in different directions.