Lingaraj Temple

entrada para no-hindues prohibida

Shiva (Lingaraj, also worshipped as Harihara) temple · Bhubaneswar, Khordha, Odisha, India

Photo: Pattnaik.chandan · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via Wikimedia Commons

The Lingaraj Temple is the principal Shiva temple of Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha, and stands in the city's Old Town close to the Bindusagar tank. Odisha Tourism describes it as the finest example of Kalinga temple architecture and the spiritual centre of the "Temple City of India". The main tower rises to roughly 180 feet (about 55 metres).

The presiding deity is a Swayambhu (self-manifested) linga. Odisha Tourism describes Shiva here as Harihara, a joint form of Shiva and Vishnu, which makes the temple a meeting point of Shaiva and Vaishnava worship. The temple is in active worship, and only Hindus are allowed inside the compound.

By the HinduTone Editorial Team · Last reviewed 5 October 2026. Editorial policy & corrections

Faith & Tradition

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Religious Significance of Lingaraj Temple

The temple stands at the centre of Ekamra Kshetra, the sacred zone of old Bhubaneswar. An article in the Government of Odisha's Orissa Review explains that medieval Sanskrit texts such as the Ekamra Purana (13th century) describe this kshetra as circular, with the Lingaraj temple at its centre. The linga is known as Krittivasa, and devotees regard it as self-born rather than carved.

The same article explains how Vaishnava elements entered worship here under the Eastern Ganga rulers. Images of Jaya and Vijaya (Vishnu's doorkeepers) were placed on the doorjambs of the natamandira, images of Jagannath and Lakshmi-Narayana were set up along the circumambulation path, a Garuda pillar was installed next to the Nandi, and tulsi leaves came to be offered alongside bel leaves. As a result the deity came to be called Harihara, and the temple flag is fixed to a Pinaka bow rather than a trident.

Heritage

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History of Lingaraj Temple

Odisha Tourism and the earlier Orissa Tourism portal both date the present temple to the 11th century. The earlier Orissa Tourism page adds that Sanskrit texts speak of a stone temple on the site as early as the 7th century CE, and that pieces of that older structure seem to be reused in the present building.

According to the Ekamra Chandrika, a Sanskrit text on the Lingaraj cited in the Orissa Review, the Gauda king Sasanka built the first temple on the site in the early 7th century. This is a textual tradition, not a confirmed archaeological date.

The Lingaraj temple, together with the smaller shrines in its compound, is on the Archaeological Survey of India's list of centrally protected monuments in Odisha. In 2012 The Times of India reported that an ASI technical committee had examined cracks in the metal pot at the top of the tower. The temple's day-to-day affairs are run by a temple administration headed by an executive officer, as The Hindu and The Times of India have reported.

Architecture and sacred features

The temple is built in the Kalinga (Odishan) style. The earlier Orissa Tourism description calls it Odishan temple architecture at its most mature. To the usual pairing of deula (sanctum tower) and jagamohana (porch) it adds two further halls: the natamandira (hall of dance) and the bhoga-mandapa (hall of offerings). The curved tower is just over 180 feet (55 metres) tall and carries miniature copies of itself on its surface.

The large walled compound also holds many smaller shrines. The ASI listing names several of them, including the Parbati temple, Gopaluni temple, Sabitri Devi temple and others.

Plan Your Visit

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Darshan and Visitor Information

As listed by Odisha Tourism (checked October 2026), only Hindus may enter the temple. Non-Hindu visitors can see the architecture from a viewing platform built outside the compound, and there is no entry fee. The temple closes for part of the afternoon, so confirm current arrangements with Odisha Tourism or the Lingaraj temple administration before travelling.

Timings and arrangements change with seasons and festivals. Confirm current details with Lingaraj temple administration (executive officer); monument protected by the ASI before travelling. Last reviewed 5 October 2026.

Sacred Calendar

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Festivals at Lingaraj Temple

Shivaratri

Odisha Tourism names Shivaratri as one of the temple's main festivals.

Rukuna Ratha Jatra (Ashokashtami car festival)

Odisha Tourism names the Rukuna Ratha Jatra as one of the temple's major celebrations. The Orissa Review describes the Ashokashtami car festival, after which the deity returns to the temple.

Location

How to Reach Lingaraj Temple

The temple is in Old Town, Bhubaneswar. Odisha Tourism lists Biju Patnaik International Airport, Bhubaneswar, as the nearest airport and Bhubaneswar railway station as the nearest railhead, and notes that the temple is easy to reach by road within the city. The Ananta Vasudeva Temple is about 0.2 km away, according to Odisha Tourism.

Location: Bhubaneswar, Khordha, Odisha, India

Nearest airport: Biju Patnaik International Airport, Bhubaneswar

Nearest railway station: Bhubaneswar

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Questions

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Lingaraj Temple: Frequently Asked Questions

Which deity is worshipped at the Lingaraj Temple?

Shiva, in the form of a Swayambhu (self-manifested) linga. Odisha Tourism describes the deity as Harihara, a joint form of Shiva and Vishnu.

How old is the Lingaraj Temple?

Odisha Tourism dates the present temple to the 11th century. Older Sanskrit texts speak of a temple on the site as early as the 7th century, but that date is a textual tradition.

Can non-Hindus enter the Lingaraj Temple?

No. As listed by Odisha Tourism (checked October 2026), only Hindus may go inside. A viewing platform outside the compound gives a view of the architecture.

How tall is the Lingaraj Temple?

The main tower is just over 180 feet (about 55 metres) tall, according to Odisha Tourism.

Why is the Lingaraj deity called Harihara?

According to the Orissa Review, Vaishnava elements were added to worship under the Eastern Ganga rulers, including Jaya-Vijaya doorkeepers, a Garuda pillar and tulsi offerings. As a result the linga came to be regarded as a joint form of Shiva (Hara) and Vishnu (Hari).

Is the Lingaraj Temple a protected monument?

Yes. The Lingaraj temple and the smaller shrines in its compound are on the Archaeological Survey of India's list of centrally protected monuments in Odisha.