Bhubaneswar Chintamanisvara Siva Temple, Odisha

Address

Bhubaneswar Chintamanisvara Siva Temple, Odisha

Nageswar Tangi Rd,

Bhubaneswar,

Odisha 751014

Moolavar

Chintamanisvara Siva

Introduction

• The Chintamaniswar Shiva Temple is a prominent Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha, India.
• Situated at the end of Chintamaniswar Road, which branches off from the Cuttack-Puri Road near the Old Station Bazar, the temple faces west. The main deity is a Shiva Lingam with a yonipitha.

Puranic Significance:

• The temple dates back to the 14th century A.D., with construction attributed to the Keshari or Somavamsi dynasty.
• The temple is an important site for various religious ceremonies, including:
  • Sivaratri (a night of worship dedicated to Lord Shiva)
  • Siva Vivaha (a ceremonial marriage of Lord Shiva)
  • Jalasaya (ritualistic water offering)
  • Rudrabhisekha (a specific ritual for Lord Shiva)
• Marriage and thread ceremonies (sacred thread rituals) are also performed at this temple.

Architectural Features:

• The temple features a square sanctum with a vimana (roof) of the rekha order, a traditional Orissan architectural style.
  • The temple structure has three main parts from bottom to top: Bada, Gandi, and Mastaka.
• The Bada is divided into five sections called the panchanga bada, with the pabhaga (base) containing five moldings:
  • Khura (topmost)
  • Kumbha
  • Pata
  • Kani
  • Basanta
• The Jangha (middle section) is split into tala jangha (lower) and upara jangha (upper) by a set of three moldings: Bandhana, Baranda, and a series of seven moldings.
• The Gandi (top part) is simple and lacks decoration, while the Mastaka (spire) includes traditional components such as Beki, Amalaka, Khapuri, and Kalasa.

Iconography and Deities:

• The temple features several important deities, each housed in specific niches:
  • Eastern Niche: A four-armed Kartikeya (the son of Shiva), holding a mace in his right hand, a cock in his back left hand, and a peacock in his right back hand, while his left hand is in varadamudra (a gesture of blessing).
  • Southern Niche: A four-armed Ganesha, with a rosary in his right hand, a modaka patra (sweet offering) in his left hand, an ankusa (goad) in his back right hand, and a broken tooth (tusk) in his left hand.
  • Northern Niche: The goddess Parvati is enshrined.
• The Tala Jangha and Upara Jangha of the temple are decorated with Khakhara Mundis and Pidha Mundis, traditional Orissan motifs.
• The Bekhi recess above the Kanika Paga features a Deula Charini (a symbolic figure of a deity), while the Raha Paga has four-armed divinities.

Additional Features:

• The temple’s entrance has a doorjamb adorned with two Khakhara Mundis on either side, enhancing the decorative grandeur.
• The temple is surrounded by a modern compound wall that measures 40 square meters in area, with a height of 1.8 meters and a thickness of 0.2 meters.
• To the right side of the doorjamb, there is another four-armed Ganesha, holding a Parasu (axe) and rosary in his lower left and right arms, modakapatra in his upper left arm, and a broken tusk in his lower left arm.

Century/Period

14th century A.D.

Managed By

Department of Archaeology (DOA)

Nearest Bus Station

Bhubaneswar

Nearest Railway Station

Bhubaneswar

Nearest Airport

Bhubaneswar

Location on Map

lightuptemple