Ramesvara Temple - Bhubaneswar

Site Name: Ramesvara Temple 

Site Type: Hindu ancient temple

Location:   Bhubaneswar city, Odisha state, India

Highlights: Architecturally beautiful ancient temple

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, 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. The city is called as Ekamara Kshetra as it has so many Shiva temples. Let us explore a popular temple, Ramesvara temple, in this article.

Location:

Ramesvara temple is located at a distance of around 2 kms from Lingaraja temple. It is located on the right side of the road leading from Kalpana square to Lingaraja temple.

Introduction:

Ramesvara temple is one of the popular temples in Bhubaneswar. It is also popular in the name of Mausi Maa temple. Every year, during the Ashokashtami day, which falls one day before Rama Navami in Chaitra month (around April month in English calendar), the movable idol of Lingaraja is brought here in a large chariot called Rukuna Rath. The deity stays in this temple for four days. 

Legend:

As per the legend, after winning over the demon Ravan, Ram and Sita were back to Ayodhya via Bhubaneswar. Sita wanted to worship Shiva in this site. As per her request, Ram installed the idol of Shiva Linga and hence the deity of this temple is called as Ramesvara.

History:

The temple was built in the earlier 12th century CE by the Somavamshi Kings. The Jagamohana was a later addition.

Temple Layout:

One of the unique features of the temple is that the Jagamohana is detached from the sanctum sanctorum. Another unique feature is the bas-relief images that are found on the outer walls of Jagamohana.

The sanctum sanctorum is of Rekha type and is facing the east direction. A big Shiva Linga named Ramesvara is enshrined in the sanctorum. Also, a relief image of Parvati is also seen inside the shrine.

The Vimana is Pancha ratha on style and Panchangabada by elevation. It is decorated with many architectural motifs such as Pidhamundi, Khakharamundi, etc. and the sculptures of elephants and Vyalas.

The niche deities (Parsvadevtas) are big in size and are very attractive. Ganesha, Kartikeya and Parvati are found as the Parsvadevtas.

The entrance of the shrine has the Navagraha panel on the top and the door jamb has the small relief images of Dwarapalas along with the rivers Ganga and Yamuna.

The detached Jagamohana faces west direction and it is of Pidha type. Inside the Jagamohana, the new idols of Jagannath, Hanuman and Ganesha are placed and worshiped. The outer wall of Jagamohana has many bas-relief images that include amorous couples, erotic sculptures, Trivikrama, Narasimha with two birds on either sides, etc.

Happy travelling.