The largest temple in Bhubaneswar, dedicated to Shiva as Harihara — a form combining Shiva and Vishnu — and among the finest examples of the Kalinga architectural style.
The largest temple in Bhubaneswar, dedicated to Shiva as Harihara — a form combining Shiva and Vishnu — and among the finest examples of the Kalinga architectural style.
The present structure is generally dated to around the 11th century CE, built under the Somavamshi dynasty and later expanded under the Ganga dynasy, though the site's sanctity is considered older still. Bhubaneswar was historically known as the city of temples, with Lingaraj as its most prominent surviving example among what were once hundreds of shrines across the old town.
The temple tower rises to about 55 metres, a defining example of the Kalinga style's deul architecture, with the complex covering a large walled area containing numerous subsidiary shrines. The style shares family resemblance with Konark and Puri's Jagannath Temple, all products of the same Odisha temple-building tradition across different centuries.
The deity here, Lingaraj (meaning "King of Lingas"), is worshipped as Harihara — a combined form representing both Shiva and Vishnu — reflecting a strand of theological harmonisation between Shaiva and Vaishnava traditions particular to this temple's worship.
Darshan | Start | End | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Morning Darshan | 5:00 AM | 12:00 PM | Open | Morning rituals and general darshan are available. |
Afternoon Break | 12:00 PM | 3:30 PM | Limited/Closed | Temple activities continue with internal rituals. |
Evening Darshan | 3:30 PM | 9:00 PM | Open | Evening darshan and worship are available. |
Temple Closing | — | 9:00 PM | Closed | Final rituals conclude the day. |
Pooja | Time | Fee | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
Mangal Alati | Early Morning | Free | First worship ceremony after temple opening. |
Sahana Mela Darshan | Morning | Free | General public darshan after morning rituals. |
Bhoga Mandapa Bhoga | Midday | Free | Food offering ceremony to the deity. |
Sandhya Alati | Evening | Free | Evening lamp offering and prayers. |
Bada Singhara Besha | Night | Free | Final decoration and closing rituals. |
Darshan | Price | Waiting Time | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|
General Darshan | Free | 20–40 minutes | Walk-in |
Special Darshan | ₹50 onwards | 10–20 minutes | Temple arrangements |
Archana / Sankalpa | Varies | Depends on ritual | Temple Counter |
Special Sevas | Varies | Advance arrangements | Temple Office |
Seva | Time | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
Abhisheka | Morning | Varies | Sacred bathing ritual performed with traditional offerings. |
Rudrabhisheka | Morning/Special Days | Varies | Special Shiva worship with chanting and offerings. |
Bilva Archana | Daily | Varies | Offering of Bilva leaves to Lord Shiva. |
Deepa Seva | Evening | Varies | Lighting of lamps as part of worship. |
Sankalpa Pooja | On Request | Varies | Personalized prayers performed for devotees. |
Special Festival Sevas | Festival Days | Varies | Ritual services during major celebrations. |
Festival | Month | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
Maha Shivaratri | February–March | Biggest festival with night-long prayers, fasting, and special worship. |
Rukuna Rath Yatra | March–April | Annual chariot festival where the deity is taken in procession. |
Chandan Yatra | April–May | Summer festival involving sandalwood rituals and celebrations. |
Durga Puja / Navaratri | September–October | Special worship and temple decorations. |
Kartika Purnima | November | Important devotional observance with special rituals. |
Shravana Month Celebrations | July–August | Special Shiva worship throughout the holy month. |
Prasadam | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
Khaja | ₹50–₹100 | Traditional sweet offered and distributed as prasadam. |
Anna Bhoga | ₹50–₹150 | Cooked rice offerings associated with temple rituals. |
Khechudi | ₹50–₹100 | Traditional rice and lentil preparation. |
Sweet Pongal / Sweet Rice | ₹40–₹80 | Sweet offering prepared during special occasions. |
Coconut & Fruits Offering | Varies | Traditional devotional offering items. |
Nearest airport: Biju Patnaik International Airport, Bhubaneswar (~6 km). Bhubaneswar railway station is close by and well connected to major Indian cities.
No reviews yet — be the first to share your experience.
Thinking of visiting Lingaraj Temple? Share your travel dates and group size, and our travel desk will put together a personalised itinerary — transport, stay and darshan timings, all planned around this temple.
📍 Lingaraj Temple, Old Town, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751002
Planning to stay overnight? Find places to stay near Lingaraj Temple.
Search Hotels on Booking.comBhubaneswar offers hotels across all budgets throughout the city, with several options close to the Old Town temple area.
Bindusagar Tank, Rajarani Temple, Mukteshwar Temple and several other historic Bhubaneswar temples are all within the same old-town area.
