High medieval · Hindu · India

Lingaraja Temple

Bhubaneswar, Odisha · 20.2383°, 85.8336°

Shiva as Harihara (Tribhubaneswar)SomavamshiKalinga (55 m deul)
Sacred since
1090 CE
first attestation / structure
Standing structure
c. 1090–1104 (site older)
Somavamshi

History & significance

The culmination of a thousand years of temple building in Bhubaneswar — the 'city of a thousand shrines' of ancient Ekamra Kshetra. Its 55 m tower presides over the Bindusagar tank; the deity, uniquely, is worshipped as Harihara, Shiva and Vishnu in one, so tulsi and bel leaves are offered together.

Sthala katha — the legend

Bindusagar holds drops from every holy water on earth, gathered by Shiva to slake Parvati's thirst after she slew two demons here; during Chandan Yatra the Lord sails the tank on a decorated barge.

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Related sites

Mukteshvara Temple
Bhubaneswar · India
c. 950–975 CE

Sources

coordinates: wikipedia-2026-08-26 · sources retrieved 2026-08-26 · dynasty page: Somavamshi