Parsurameswar temple

Overview

Parsurameshwar Temple, located in the East Indian city of Bhubaneswar, the capital of Orissa, is considered the best preserved specimen of an early Orissa Hindu temple dated to the Sailodbhava period between the seventh and eighth centuries. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the oldest existing temples in the state. The temple is believed to have been built in 650 AD in Nagara style. The temple is one among the Parasumeshwar group of temples that are considered the oldest temples in Bhubaneswar.

About The Temple

Parsurameshwar temple has a vimaana, the sanctum, and a bada, the curvilinear spire over its roof. It is the first temple to have an additional structure called jagamohana. Though the temple is a dedicated to Shiva, it contains sculpted images of Shakta deities, which are otherwise part of Shakta temples. The temple is the first among Bhubaneswar temples to have depiction of Saptamatrika’s images, namely, Chamunda, Varahi, Indraani, Vaisnavi, Kaumari, Sivaani and Brahmi. Parasurashtami is the major festival celebrated in the temple during June–July every year.

Parsurameshwar temple is the first temple to have an additional structure called jagamohana (hall of worshipers) added its structure compared to the earlier temples that had only the vimaana. The carvings of the temple include fruits, flowers, birds and animals.

Legend and Stories

As per some historians, Parsurameshwar temple is believed to have been built in the early 8th century A.D., following the initial set of Satruguneshwar, Bharateshwar and Lakshmaneshwar temples of the late 7th century, but historian K.C. Panigrahi places the date as 650 A.D.

Parsurameshwar temple was built by the Shailodbhavas, who had Shiva as their family deity. The Shailodbhavas also respected the Shakta elements of different gods and depicted Shakta images on the walls of the temple. The temple was repaired in 1903.

Accessibility

Airport

The city of Bhubaneswar has domestic flights Pan India.

Railways

The city is well linked by trains to Bangalore, Delhi, Guwahaati, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Madras, Puri, Thirupati and Trivandrum.

Road

The national Highway No. 5 connects Bhubaneswar to Kolkata and Chennai. Some important distances are: Kolkata (480 km), Chennai (1225 km), Delhi (1745 km), Bombay (1691 km).

Temple Address

Parsurameshwar temple Bhubaneswar,
Orissa
Near Bindu Sagar Pond,
7th Century A.D.,
Old Town, Bhubaneswar, Orissa,
Pin code - 751 002.