Bhubaneswar Kartikesvara Temple - Odisha

Address

Bhubaneswar Kartikesvara Temple – Odisha

Bhubaneswar, Gouri Nagar,

Old Town, Bhubaneswar,

Odisha 751002

Moolavar

Kartikesvara

Introduction

The Kartikesvara Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is a historical and living temple located in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India. Kartikesvara Temple faces west, with the sanctum housing the presiding deity, Kartikesvara, in the form of a Lingam within a circular yonipitha. The sanctum is square in plan.

Puranic Significance

The temple is believed to have been built in the 13th century CE during the Ganga Period, making it a significant historical and architectural site.The temple follows the Pancharatha plan, characterized by its five spires. The vimana (main shrine) is of the rekha order, while the jagamohana (assembly hall) is a pidha Deul. The temple walls are plain in design.

Door Jambs: The door jambs of the jagamohana are carved with three plain vertical bands and feature an image of Gajalakshmi at the lalatabimba (forehead).
Architrave: Above the doorjambs, there is an architrave carved with the usual Navagraha panel.
Construction Materials: The temple was constructed using laterite stones and dry masonry techniques.
Compound Wall: Interestingly, the temple does not have its own compound wall but is situated within the boundary wall of the Gandhi Garabadu Mahaprasada Anusthana and the residential plot of Narayana Maharana.