Dhauli Bhairangeswara Temple, Odisha

Address

Dhauli Bhairangeswara Temple Shubham Road, Khatuapada, Uttara, Odisha 752104, India

Diety

Bhairangeswara

Introduction

Dhauli hill on the east bank of the river Daya, Bhairangeswara Temple is right next to the assumed site of the Kalinga battle, an event that had a profound impact on the emperor Ashoka in 260 B.C. after which he converted to Buddhism. Khatuapada village was extremely short, some serious storms were brewing from seemingly every direction. The temple is thought to date back to the 11th century A.D. although it has been rebuilt using mostly masonry that was recovered from the site. Unusually, the temple faces west and is now under the protection of Orissa State Archaeology. The presiding deity is a circular yoni pitha with a hole in the centre. The site was originally chosen due to a naturally formed shiva linga that existed here. There are a couple of subsidiary shrines, one dedicated to Ganesha with a 2m high idol placed in the sanctum.