Information of Mukteshwar Temple, Bhubaneswar, Odisha

The Mukteshwar Temple is located in Bhubaneswar in the Indian state of Orissa. The temple is said to have been built in 970 AD and is dedicated to the Hindu God, Lord Shiva. The temple is locally known as Mukteshvara deula. The temple marks a change or evolution in the Indian architecture with quite a different style from other temples.

Mukteshwar Temple Religious Significance

The Mukteshwar Temple is a Hindu Temple. Mukteshwar being Lord Shiva literally mean "Lord of Freedom". Lord Shiva is considered as the Divine Supreme being in the whole universe. He has the power to create every being living or non living being on earth as well as the power to destroy every being if he is angry of unpleased. There are tantric worshipper too who visit the temple and and imbibe the teaching and art of meditation. There are other images of deities like Ganesha, Saraswathi and Lakulisha the founder of tantric religion.

The most happening festival in the Mukteshwar Temple is the Mukteshwar Dance festival where classical Odissi dance is performed accompanied by classical Odissi Instruments. Another festival celebrated in the temple is the Ashoka car Festival marking the fertility of women.

The Mukteshwar temple is open throughout the year at all times for general public.

Mukteshwar Temple Mythology & History

The Mukteshwar Temple was built in the early 10 century during the Somvamsi period. Originally A Parsurameshwar Temple was situated at the site of Mukteshwar Temple and was built earlier than 1060 AD. King Yayati I of the Somvamsi dynasty greatly contributed for the establishment of the temple. The primary deity in that period was Lord Shiva who blessing devotees with freedom from any tangled situation. The style of the temple marks the culmination of evolution from the ancient art to the medieval art related to constructions of temple and monuments.

Lord Shiva is considered as the Divine giver. There tank known as Madicha Kunda tank located near the temple and according to a myth it is said that if a barren woman takes a dip in the tank on the previous night of the Ashokastami car festival she is blessed with a child.

Mukteshwar Temple Architectural Significance

The Mukteshwar Temple represents the famous Kalinga style architecture but with unique stylish features with a blend of Deula temple style. It is known as the "Gem of Odisha Architecture". The temple is built facing the west and consists of a single floor. An archway is present built in Buddhist architecture marking the entrance of the temple. Big pillar carved with ornaments on female images contributes to the structure of the archway known as torana. The torana leads into a porch with a low roof and pillars as well. The walls are decorated with carvings of female, peacocks and monkeys.

The porch leads to the Vimana or the main hall which is beautified with another set of sculptures. It has a tower like shikhara on top but much smaller in comparison to other temples measuring a height of 10.5 metres. The four faces of the shikhara are decorated with figures of Nataraja and also consist of a golden vase. The main sanctuary is decorated with beautiful figures nagas and nagins. The entrance of the sanctum sanctorum is built of ornate and an image of Ketu lies at the entrance. Ketu is considered as the ninth planet in Hindu legendary. A Jagmohana measuring 35 meters high is present at the premises of the main shrine. The temple comprises of a mixture of various architecture and the most typical feature is the presence of bho a window with a masked demon head and dwarf images.