Bhubaneswar is known as land of Temples and truly, has some of the oldest and magnificent temples of their times. Muktesvara Temple is one such example that was built in 10th century and dates before Rajarani Temple. Muktesvara Temple is known for its elegant design which was under experimentation in earlier times. Muktesvara Temple is a prominent tourist destination in Odisha (previously Orissa). Lord Shiva is the primary deity worshipped in this temple.
Muktesvara, from its very name, means “Lord of Freedom” and is dedicated to the Hindus most powerful deity- Lord Shiva. Freedom in itself is the most prestigious thing one would like to preserve. The location and ambience of the temple are very soothing, nurturing and elegant at the same time. Not only is the temple known for the design but also for some of the traditions associated.
Muktesvara, from its very name, means “Lord of Freedom” and is dedicated to the Hindus most powerful deity- Lord Shiva. Freedom in itself is the most prestigious thing one would like to preserve. The location and ambience of the temple are very soothing, nurturing and elegant at the same time. Not only is the temple known for the design but also for some of the traditions associated.
Muktesvara Temple, Bhubaneshwar also has sculptures of God Ganesha and Goddess Saraswathi. Lakulisha, regarded as the founder of the Pashupata sect is also worshipped here. Yoga-India’s new pride is also associated with this temple in many ways. There are many sculptures carven on walls of the temple which depict Lakulisha performing Yoga and the mudras like Bhumispara, Yogapatta and Vyakyana.
There is a belief that if a barren woman on the night before Ashokastami car festival takes a holy dip in the Madicha Kund, she gives birth to a son. To uphold these traditional beliefs, the holy water of the Kunda is also distributed to the public on the festival’s evening.
There is a belief that if a barren woman on the night before Ashokastami car festival takes a holy dip in the Madicha Kund, she gives birth to a son. To uphold these traditional beliefs, the holy water of the Kunda is also distributed to the public on the festival’s evening.
Lord Shiva or Muktesvara is also known for his spectacular and majestic dance forms and so, there is a three day Muktesvara Dance Festival organized in the temple premises by the State Government. I developed a craze for this traditional dance through the festival, and it was enthralling than in any of the dance movies I have seen.
Muktesvara Temple is a place everyone should visit. Not only the traditional practices are kept intact here but also a remarkable feature- the essence of divine freedom could be felt at this temple. Everyone visiting Bhubaneswar should visit this place; as missing it is like missing the divine freedom- expressed here as Lord Muktesvara.
Muktesvara Temple is a place everyone should visit. Not only the traditional practices are kept intact here but also a remarkable feature- the essence of divine freedom could be felt at this temple. Everyone visiting Bhubaneswar should visit this place; as missing it is like missing the divine freedom- expressed here as Lord Muktesvara.