Mukteswar Temple

Considered ‘Gem of Kalinga School of Temple Architecture', Mukteswar Temple is famous for its exquisite and beautiful sculptures in red sandstone. It is one of the most refined temples of Odisha owing to its elegant proportions and delicate carvings. A mid-9th century edifice, the 34-feet-high Mukteswar Temple is adorned with ornate carvings of Panchatantra stories, heavily ornamented female figures with expressive faces, faces of Buddhist and Jain monks, with every minute detail carved to utmost precision. The diamond-shaped latticed windows in the north and south walls of Jagamohana (assembly hall of the temple), depict scenes of frolicking monkeys and ceiling of the temple is decorated with eight lotus petals. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The most beautiful element of this temple is a decorated stone 'torana' (archway) in front of the Jagamohana, which dates back to 900 AD. The archway is decorated with carvings of reclining women, animals, flowers and a combination of Buddhist, Hindu and Jain motifs. On the twin pillars of the archway are delicate carvings of scroll bands, beads and ornaments. A small water tank, locally known as Marichi Kunda, lies just behind the temple. On the door frame of Marichi Kunda is a seated figure of Lakulisha, a prominent Shaivite revivalist, reformist and preceptor of the doctrine of the Pashupatis, one of the oldest sects of Shaivism. The temple is located off the Lewis Road in the older southern part of Bhubaneswar. Every year, Odisha Tourism and Culture Department organised the Mukteswar Dance Festival on the temple premises in January-February.