Odisha is well-known for its ancient and mystical temples. You can visit these temples for their spiritual value as well as their architecture. People from all over the globe travel to Odisha to explore the temple’s architecture and sculptures. The stunning architecture and creative work on the walls of these temples are worth a look. On the walls of these temples, you may see history, culture, religious works, and aesthetic works. These are the temples where you may see great architecture, history, and listen to amazing mythological stories. So, if you want to view the complex intricacies of the temples, make sure you visit all of these temples in Odisha.
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- SUN TEMPLE
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The so-called Sun Temple at Konark, a UNESCO World Heritage monument dating from the 13th century, is arguably the most well-known of the many hundreds of Orissa temples. The building, which is located right off the shore of the Bay of Bengal, is distinctive in its design: the sweeping complex is modelled after a chariot. Although part of the temple is now in ruins, what remains is stunning: the edifice is made of red-hued rocks, is covered in beautiful carvings, and is dedicated to Surya, the Sun God. This temple is representative of Kalinga architecture, as architectural lovers would notice.
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- LINGARAJA TEMPLE
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The Lingaraj Temple in Odisha is devoted to Hari Hara, the avatar of Lord Shiva and Vishnu, and is located in the centre of Bhubaneshwar. Every day, thousands of people visit this famous Odisha temple. It is one of the biggest and best-preserved temple complexes in the state, built by King Jajati Keshari in the 7th century. The temple is also notable for its sprawling complex, which has over 50 shrines devoted to various Gods and Goddesses. The Lingaraj Temple also holds an 8-foot-tall self-originated Shivalinga, which is extremely sacred to worshippers. Tourists are especially drawn to the intricate carvings and exquisite sculptures depicting Kalinga architecture.
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- JAGANNATH TEMPLE
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Jagannath Temple is one of the holiest pilgrimage sites in Odisha. It is Lord Vishnu’s temple and is very important. It has great spiritual importance and is visited by thousands of employees each year. Do you want to discover a secret fact about this temple? It is reported that the flag on top of this temple flies in the opposite direction of the wind. To replace the flag, priests of the Jagannath temple in Odisha are believed to climb the temple, which is as tall as a 45-story skyscraper. This rite has been performed since the temple was erected. It is said that if this rite is missed even for one day, the temple would be closed for 18 years. There are no shadows of the temple that can be observed at any time of day. This temple has a plethora of fascinating facts.
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- GUNDICHA TEMPLE
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This is one of Odisha’s most gorgeous temples. It features a lovely garden and is only packed during the Jagannath temple’s yearly Ratha Yatra. Gundicha Temple is said to be the home of Lord Jagannath from Hindu mythology. This temple is unoccupied for most of the year and may be visited at any time. It is designed in the Kalinga architectural style. It is made up of four carved buildings. It is named after Lord Krishna’s aunt Gundicha. During the Ratha Yatra, Lord Jagannath is said to live within this temple for 9 days. The entire temple is made of a single piece of grey sandstone. This temple is related to several mythical legends. It is also referred to as the “Garden House of Lord Jagannath.”
- VAITAL DEULA TEMPLE
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This temple honours the Goddess Chamundi. It was constructed in the eighth century using Kalinga architecture. Tina Munia Mandir is another name for it. This is a remarkable temple with detailed and lovely sculptures. This temple’s tower is of the Dravidian style, which is common in South Indian temples. This is a unique temple that is well-known for its architecture.
It features a lot of sculptures on the ceiling. On the walls of this tower, there are also sensual engravings of lovers. Lord Surya and his chariot are also shown in the carved form. The statue of Goddess Durga is one of the most beautiful characteristics of this temple. Inside this temple, there are several depictions of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
