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Odisha Kapilesvara Siva Temple Bhubaneswar
Kapilesvara Siva Temple is a renowned Hindu temple devoted to Lord Shiva. It is situated on the western periphery of the township Kapilesvara in Bhubaneswar. Kapilesvara Siva Temple is situated at the rear side of Kapilesvara road heading from Lingaraj Temple. The presiding holy being is actually a Siva-lingam positioned at the middle of a spherical yonipitha inside the shrine. It is considered a big living temple facing east direction. Kapilesvara Siva Temple is maintained by Kapilesvara Trust Board. The shrine is located within the area along with 34 other ancient monuments. The area is situated on the northern bank of Manikarnika reservoir over a total area of 44 sq meters.
According to some local traditions Kapilesvara Siva Temple is actually the birth place of learned Kapila. He is recognized as the inventor of Sankhya philosophy. Kapila is also identified as the inventor of Brahma, a personification of Lord Siva and Lord Vishnu himself. Therefore, it is a blessed place where the sanctuary is devoted to Lord Kapilesvara Siva. The main characteristic of the Kapilesvara Siva is the 62 foot elevated temple and its adjoining pond, bordered by useful stone steps. The shrine is a holy outpost of the central temple, the Lingaraja temple. Both the temples in Bhubaneswar are considered centers of educational, social and political activities.
History
Until the starting of 20th century, Kapilesvara Siva temple really dominated the political, economic, and ritual existence of the place. The holy place was built in 14th Century A.D. The temple was built under Suryavamsi regime of Kapilendra Deva. Several inscriptions of Kapilendra Deva and various architectural fragments denote that the original shrine could have been built prior to 11th Century. The entire shrine was revamped at a much later date with integration of building materials of original shrine. Kapilesvara Siva Temple has a wonderful vimana (memorial), nata-mandira, jagamohana and unique bhoga-Mandapa. At the same time, vimana is in complete rekha order, bhoga mandapa and nata-mandira are flat roofed and jagamohana is pidha.
The vimana measuring 11.50 meters in elevation has customary bada, mastaka and gandi. The lower potala tend to have five divisions and upper level poatala has four divisions in pyramidal altitude. The parsvadevata niches are situated on raha paga of impressive tala jangha on 3 sides of west, north and south and protect Parvati, Kartikeya respectively. Talagarvika under the niche is ornamented with an amazing sequence of Khakhara mundis bordered by naga nagi plasters. The niche is also bordered by two plasters that are engraved with Kirtimukha at the middle of the plaster and the position is also crowned by Urdhagarvika.
How To Reach
By Air
Biju Patnaik Airport in Bhubaneswar is the finest place if you want to reach Kapilesvara Siva Temple quickly. The airport is adequately linked with Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Mumbai and other big metros.
By Rail
Bhubaneswar railway station is the best place if you want to travel to Kapilesvara Siva Temple quickly by train. There are several daily trains from Delhi, Mysore, Bangalore, Chennai and other cities to Bhubaneswar.
By Road
Devotees and worshippers can also travel to Kapilesvara Siva Temple by road. Bhubaneswar is connected by road with other adjoining districts and even big cities. Government and private buses operate to and from Bhubaneswar.
Significance Of The Temple
Kapilesvara Siva Temple is a hub for several political, religious and educational activities. According to some local customs Lord Baidyanath is considered the divine god for curing different types of diseases and ailments. Therefore, ailing individuals tend to offer special prayers and surrender themselves before Lord Baidyanath.
Weather And Time To Visit
It is best to visit Kapilesvara Siva Temple during winter season. However, the winter season is not very harsh. November to March is the ideal time to explore and visit Kapilesvara Siva Temple. You should not visit the temple during summer season. Period from May to July can be hard for devotees. It is usually dry and hot with hot winds during this period. There are budget, luxury and other types of affordable hotels in the area.
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