Information of Rameshwar Deula, Bhubaneswar, Odisha

The Rameshwar Deula or the Rameshwar Temple is located about 2 kms from the Lingaraj Temple. It is situated in Bhubaneswar city in the Indian state of Orissa now known as Odisha. The Rameshwar Temple is built in the honour of Lord Shiva and is worshipped by the Hindus belonging to Saivism. Another name given to the temple is Mausi Maa. It is a revered temple and thus devotees from across Orissa and from various other cities of India come to offer prayer to the deity.

Rameshwar Deula Religious Significance

The Rameshwar temple is an important and a very holy temple as Lord Rama himself installed the Lingam in the temple. Most of the temples in and Bhubaneswar city are dedicated to Lord Shiva and devotees visit in large numbers. The most important festival celebrated in the Temple is Shiva Raatri which usually falls in the month of February or March. Followers of Tantric tradition also flock the temple as they are ardent devotees of Lord Shiva. During Shiva Raatri a large number of devotees fast and stay wake all night honouring Lord Shiva singing his glories, praying to him and offering food and water. After the auspicious day the devotees receive immense bliss along with showers of blessings.

Lord Shiva is worshipped as the creator as well as the preserver of the universe and anything happened is an act of God. We should please the Lord but if the Lord is displeased he will appear in a ferocious form and punish the wrong doer.

The Rameshwara Temple is open throughout the year for all Hindus. The temple bores the name Rameshwara as it was established by Lord Rama dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Rameshwar Deula Mythology & History

The available records of the Rameshwar temple tells that it was constructed aoround 9th centurt. According to a myth the Lingam in the Rameshwar Temple was installed by Lord Rama an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Lord Rama incarnation in the earth during the Dwapara yuga in order to kill the Demon King Ravana of Lanka. Ravana abducted Lord Rama's wife Sita. After a fight with Ravana Lord Ram defeated and killed him. On their way back from Lanka to their Kingdom Sita asked Rama to install a lingam and worship him thanking Lord Shiva for their victory. Accepting her request Lord Rama did the needful. It is also said that a day before Rama Navami in Chaitra which falls during Ashokaasthami Lord Shiva comes to visit the temple by a beautiful enormous chariot known as Rakun Rath and stays for four days.

Rameshwar Deula Architectural Significance

The Rameshwara Temple belongs to the ancient Kalinga architecture and categorised in the Rekha order and has a touch of Odissi art and tradition. The temple is a sandstone structure with ashlars dry masonry but unlike other temples it lacks many divisions. A unique feature present in the temple which is not seen in any other temple is an additional pidha structure standing before the temple independently. The temple is built facing the east so that the first ray of the sun falls on the temple. The temple consists of a single hall with a pyramidal Shikhara. A Shikhara is a typical feature of any Hindu temple and without it look incomplete and does not look like the house of worship. The Shikhara or the spire is high and is similar to any other spire of temple. It has numerous tiers and carved with many fascinating designs. The single hall consists of the main deity that is the Shiva Lingam made up of black stone. The hall is square and utilised as the hall of worship for the devotees. The Lingam is placed on a yonopitha and is 1.24 diameters and 0.35 metres in height and is made up of Chlorite. An image of Goddess Durga is also seen. The Jagamohana is not a part of the main temple.

The temple is decorated with intricate sculptures on the 16 pillars present outside the temple. The carvings include motifs and guardsman as bhairava also known as the dwarapala.

The surrounding of the temple is green and well maintained. It offers a holy environment radiating peace and bliss to the devotees from near and far.