Bhubaneswar Bhabani Shankar Temple Complex, Odisha

Address

Bhubaneswar Bhabani Shankar Temple Complex, near Binda Sagar Pond, Old Town, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751002

Diety

Shiva Amman: Bhabani (Parvati)

Introduction

Bhabani Shankar Temple Complex (also known as Bhabanishankar or Bhavani Sankara Temple) is located west of Bindu Sagar Road heading from Lingaraja Temple to Bindu Sagar Tank in Bhubaneswar old city. This set of small temples were not on my radar at all prior to visiting Bhubaneswar. The problem is compounded by the amount of vegetation that is constantly growing around and out of the structure, and of course the fact that the old ground level is significantly lower than the modern day ground level. Particular note is the large collection of carvings, idols, mukhalingas and a sahasralinga residing just in front of the demon burial temples. I suspect these are not all from this location, but have perhaps been collected and relocated here for safe keeping over the years. At the far west end of the complex the ground level abruptly drops 3m to a much lower level, which takes you to what I believe is the original Bhabani Shankar Temple. All that is visible is part of the eastern facade of this temple, the rest of the temple lies buried.

Puranic Significance

According to local legend, the Goddess Parvati (or Bhabani) was residing in Ekamra Kshetra (the old name for Bhubaneswar) disguised as a cowherd when the demons Kirti and Basa confronted her. She killed them by crushing them underground, and exhausted by her toils the Goddess fell asleep with Lord Shiva by her feet. Bhabani Shankar Temple was built to consecrate the spot, and two small identical laterite burial temples located in the precinct are said to be of the two demons. There are a number of temples in Bhubaneswar associated with this particular story and others concerning Parvati and Shiva.