Yamesvara Temple - Bhubaneswar
Site Name: Yamesvara Temple (also pronounced as Jamesvara)
Bhubaneswar is not only about the gigantic Lingaraja temple or the architectural marvels such as Raja Rani temple or Parasurameshwar temple. The city has a lot more to offer for any enthusiastic and art loving traveler or devotee. The city, which is the capital city of Odisha (formerly Orissa) state of India, is called as 'the City of Temples'. It once had around 3000 temples and even today hundreds of temples are located in every nook and corner of this heritage rich city. Let us explore an unknown but extremely beautiful temple named Yamesvara temple in this article.
Location:
It is very difficult to provide the exact location of small and little known temples. Yamesvara (the local people from Bhubaneswar sometimes pronounce it as Jamesvara) temple is located on the left side of the road branching from Badheibanka Chowk to Jambesvara Patna near Bharati Matha.
Architecture and Temple Layout:
Yamesvara temple belongs to 13th or 14th century CE and was built by the Gangas Kings.
Although the temple has Shiva Linga, hardly anyone uses the shrines for worship or hardly any daily pooja is conducted. The temple is under the control of ASI.
The temple is huge. The main shrine is big and architecturally beautiful. It enshrines Shiva Linga idol. The vimana is tall and is or rekha style. There is a big Pidha type Jagmohana. In Jagmohana there are two Parvati idols and one unidentified idol is found. In addition, there is a detached front side mandapa with a lot of pillars and the missing ceiling. Even Nandi is found in a small raised mandapa (something similar to what is called as Nandi mandapa in South Indian temples). Two stone deep stambhas, one damaged and another in good condition, are also found near the Nandi mandapa.
The interior walls are plain. But the exterior walls as well as the vimana are intricately decorated and full of sculptures that include the dancing girls, amorous couples, ladies riding lions, elephant procession, Nagas, etc. The typical Kalingan style lions with the first two legs raised and lions on top of elephants heads are found in various places across the temple walls and vimana. There are damaged Ganesha and Kartikeya idols are found as the niche images.
Apart from the artistically beautiful sculptures across the walls, the entrance has Navagraha panel and Lakshmi relief image.
In addition to this main shrine, there are four small shrines located in the prakara. Some of them are located partially underground. Apart from in these sub-shrines, few Shiva Lingas are found outside in the prakara.
This temple has awesome features and it is definitely one of the best and beautiful temples in Bhubaneswar. It is unfortunate that it is not so popular like Lingaraja or Raja Rani temples.
Happy travelling.
Site Type: Hindu ancient temple
Location: Near Bharati Matha, Bhubaneswar city, Odisha state, India
Highlights: Architecturally beautiful ancient temple - belongs to 13th century CE - Gangas period - one of the most beautiful temples of Bhubaneswar
Nearest Railway Station: Bhubaneswar
Nearest Airport: Bhubaneswar
How to reach: Well connected by road, rail and air
Hotel: There are many options across the city
Restaurants: Varieties of options 
Bhubaneswar is not only about the gigantic Lingaraja temple or the architectural marvels such as Raja Rani temple or Parasurameshwar temple. The city has a lot more to offer for any enthusiastic and art loving traveler or devotee. The city, which is the capital city of Odisha (formerly Orissa) state of India, is called as 'the City of Temples'. It once had around 3000 temples and even today hundreds of temples are located in every nook and corner of this heritage rich city. Let us explore an unknown but extremely beautiful temple named Yamesvara temple in this article.
Location:
It is very difficult to provide the exact location of small and little known temples. Yamesvara (the local people from Bhubaneswar sometimes pronounce it as Jamesvara) temple is located on the left side of the road branching from Badheibanka Chowk to Jambesvara Patna near Bharati Matha.
Architecture and Temple Layout:
Yamesvara temple belongs to 13th or 14th century CE and was built by the Gangas Kings.
Although the temple has Shiva Linga, hardly anyone uses the shrines for worship or hardly any daily pooja is conducted. The temple is under the control of ASI.
The temple is huge. The main shrine is big and architecturally beautiful. It enshrines Shiva Linga idol. The vimana is tall and is or rekha style. There is a big Pidha type Jagmohana. In Jagmohana there are two Parvati idols and one unidentified idol is found. In addition, there is a detached front side mandapa with a lot of pillars and the missing ceiling. Even Nandi is found in a small raised mandapa (something similar to what is called as Nandi mandapa in South Indian temples). Two stone deep stambhas, one damaged and another in good condition, are also found near the Nandi mandapa.
The interior walls are plain. But the exterior walls as well as the vimana are intricately decorated and full of sculptures that include the dancing girls, amorous couples, ladies riding lions, elephant procession, Nagas, etc. The typical Kalingan style lions with the first two legs raised and lions on top of elephants heads are found in various places across the temple walls and vimana. There are damaged Ganesha and Kartikeya idols are found as the niche images.
Apart from the artistically beautiful sculptures across the walls, the entrance has Navagraha panel and Lakshmi relief image.
In addition to this main shrine, there are four small shrines located in the prakara. Some of them are located partially underground. Apart from in these sub-shrines, few Shiva Lingas are found outside in the prakara.
This temple has awesome features and it is definitely one of the best and beautiful temples in Bhubaneswar. It is unfortunate that it is not so popular like Lingaraja or Raja Rani temples.
Happy travelling.
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