Dhabaleswar Temple, Dhauli

Site Name: Dhabaleswar Temple 
Site Type: Hindu ancient temple 
Location:   Dhauli, Near Bhubaneswar city, Odisha state, India
Highlights: One of the oldest temples of Dhauli
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

Dhauli is located on the banks of the river Daya, at a distance of 8 kms from Bhubaneswar city in Odisha state of India. It is a hilly area with the adjoining vast open space. It is the site where the major battle between Ashoka and the King of Kalinga took place. Around 250,000 people lost their lives. This war lead Ashoka to adopt the peace loving Buddhism religion. Then, started the rise of Buddhism in India. 


In Dhauli the Ashokan rock edicts are found. However, the most popular destination in Dhauli is Shanti Stupa. It is a Buddhist shrine built on the hilltop called as Dhaulagiri in 1972 CE by the Japan Buddha Sangh. Near this popular new structure, there is a little known ancient Hindu temple named Dhabaleswar temple located. Let us explore about this temple in this article.

Introduction:

Dhabaleswar temple is located on top of a small hill named Dhaulagiri in Dhauli. It is situated on the other side of the famous Shanti Stupa.

History:

The temple belongs to the 14th century CE and was built by the Ganga rulers


Architecture/Temple Layout:

Dhabaleswar temple has a rekha vimana and pidha Jagamohana. The vimana is pancha ratha on plan. The interior of the east facing temple is plain. The temple is renovated with plastered cement and painted white in color. Hence, it lost its original and authentic look.

The temple is a living temple and enshrines Shiva Linga named as Dhabaleswar

The Parsvadevta images of Ganesha, Kartikeya and eight armed Durga are found around the main shrine. It should be noted that Kartikeya and Durga idols are new idols. The original idols are completely eroded and they are placed in a corner in the temple complex. Unlike other Kalingan temples, where Parvati is found as a niche idol, in this temple Durga is found.

The metal idols of Narayan and Lakshmi are found in a separate shrine. There is another shrine for the Goddess Dhabaleswari located in this temple.

Happy travelling.






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