Lingaraj Temple

GS PAPER I: Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.

Context: Lingaraj Temple closed for public in Bhubaneswar

• Lingaraj Temple is the second-most visited temple by devotees in Odisha after Shree Jagannath Temple, Puri.

Lingaraja Temple

• It is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva and is one of the oldest temples in Bhubaneswar, the capital of the Indian state of Odisha.
• The temple represents the quintessence of the Kalinga architecture and culminating the medieval stages of the architectural tradition at Bhubaneswar.
• The temple is believed to be built by the kings from the Somavamsi dynasty, with later additions from the Ganga rulers.
• The temple is built in the Deula style that has four components namely, vimana (structure containing the sanctum), jagamohana (assembly hall), natamandira (festival hall) and bhoga-mandapa (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.
• The central deity of the temple, Lingaraja, is worshipped both as Shiva and Vishnu.
• The harmony between the two sects of Hinduism, Shaivism, and Vaishnavism, is seen in this temple where the deity is worshipped as Harihara, a combined form of Vishnu and Shiva.

https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/lingaraj-temple-closed-for-public-in-bhubaneswar/article34353981.ece