Astasambhu Siva Temples, Bhubaneswar
Shiva (Shivalinga) temple · Bhubaneswar, Khurda, Odisha, India
The Astasambhu Siva Temples are a group of eight small Shiva temples of identical size in the precinct of the Uttaresvara Siva Temple in Old Town, Bhubaneswar, Odisha. The name is local: ashta means eight and Sambhu is a name of Shiva.
Wikipedia and the IGNCA/ASI documentation both say five of the eight stand in one alignment and are known as Panchu Pandava.
Faith & Tradition
Religious Significance of Astasambhu Siva Temples, Bhubaneswar
The ASI-format record for Astasambhu Temple No. I says it is a non-living temple today, but the Saivite doorkeeper figures and side-niche deities indicate that it was a Shiva temple. Its present status is therefore that of a heritage monument rather than an active shrine.
The record notes that the chief priest of the neighbouring temple, Ratnakara Gargabatu, was looking after the monument at the time of the survey.
Heritage
History of Astasambhu Siva Temples, Bhubaneswar
Both sources date the group to the 10th century CE. The IGNCA record for Temple No. I gives the Somavamsi period and the third quarter of the 10th century, on the basis of its architectural scheme and the side-niche sculptures. It also says the temple was repaired by Orissa State Archaeology under the Tenth and Eleventh Finance Commission awards.
Wikipedia adds the setting: the Godavari tank lies to the east, the Uttaresvara compound wall to the west and the Bindusagar tank to the south, beyond the wall.
Architecture and sacred features
The temple recorded as No. I is a single rekha vimana with a shallow front porch, pancharatha on plan and triangabada in elevation, facing east, built of sandstone in dry masonry. The vimana is about 3.00 m by 2.45 m and 5.72 m high, according to the record.
The exterior is plain apart from the decorated parsvadevata niches. Wikipedia reports that only the southern niche holds an image, a four-armed Ganesha, and that the doorway has trident-bearing dvarapalas and a Gajalakshmi on the lintel with the Navagrahas on the architrave. Other temples in the group were not individually documented here.
Plan Your Visit
Darshan and Visitor Information
The temples are small heritage monuments and not regular worship sites according to the record; do not climb on them, and respect the adjoining active temple. Confirm access and timings locally.
Timings and arrangements change with seasons and festivals. Confirm current details with the temple administration before travelling. Last reviewed 1 November 2026.
Location
How to Reach Astasambhu Siva Temples, Bhubaneswar
The group lies within the Uttaresvara temple precinct on the northern embankment of Bindusagar tank in Old Town, about 200 m north-west of the Anantabasudev temple, according to the ASI record. Bhubaneswar has rail and air connections; use a map for local routes.
Location: Bhubaneswar, Khurda, Odisha, India
More in Hindu temples in Odisha · Shiva (Shivalinga) temples · Temples in Bhubaneswar (M.Corp.) P.S. Tahasil · Temples in Khordha District
Questions
Astasambhu Siva Temples, Bhubaneswar: Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Astasambhu temples?
Eight small Shiva temples of identical size in the Uttaresvara temple precinct in Bhubaneswar; Astasambhu means eight Sambhus (Shivas).
What is Panchu Pandava?
The local name for five of the eight temples that stand in one alignment.
How old are they?
Wikipedia and the IGNCA record date them to the 10th century CE.
Are they used for worship?
The ASI record for Temple No. I calls it non-living, though figures show it was a Shiva temple.
What are they made of?
Sandstone laid in dry masonry, in Kalingan rekha style.
Where are they?
Inside the Uttaresvara temple precinct near Bindusagar tank, Old Town, Bhubaneswar.
Sources and attribution
- Wikipedia — Astasambhu Siva Temples
- Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (ASI documentation format, Bhubaneswar survey) — Astasambhu Siva Temple No-I, Bhubaneswar (OR/KDA/BSR-166)
Further reading: Astasambhu Siva Temples, Bhubaneswar on Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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