Dhabaleswar Temple is a famous Hindu pilgrimage site located in the state of Odisha in eastern India. The temple is situated on an island in the Mahanadi river, near the city of Cuttack.
The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is considered to be one of the most important Shaivite shrines in the region.
The name Dhabaleswar is derived from the Sanskrit word “Dhabala” which means white, and “Eswar” which means Shiva. The temple is believed to have been built in the 10th or 11th century, during the reign of the Somavamsi dynasty.
History of Dhabaleswar Temple
According to the mythological legend, it is said that once a thief stole a black calf and hid in a temple that was dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Since the thief was hiding inside a temple, the local crowd couldn’t dare to enter the temple and bring the thief outside and continued to wait for him outside.
After long and continuous prayers by the thief, Lord Shiva took a form of a sage and saved the thief. When the crowd thought there was a black calf inside the temple, the sage went inside and brought back a white calf with him.
When the thief realized that Lord Shiva himself came to the island to save him and disappeared after turning the black calf into a white one, he confessed to the locals about his crime and dedicated his life to worship Lord Shiva.
Therefore, the temple is known as Dhabaleswar Temple and Lord Shiva is also known as Dhabaleswara.
Dhabaleswar temple was built in the 14th century although there are some stone carvings present in the temple which belong to the 11th and 12th century. This temple was built according to the Kalinga Architecture style and is located on an island, 27kilometres away from Cuttack.
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Quick Facts
- Address: Dhauli Rd, Uttara, Odisha 752104
- Affiliation: Hinduism
- Timings: 06:00 AM – 09:00 PM
- Deity: Lord Shiva
- Entry Fee: Free
- Visit Duration: 1 to 2 hours
- Architecture Style: Kalinga architecture
- Dress Code: decent outfit recommended
- Festivals: Bada-osha , Shivratri
- Best Time to Visit: October To March
Architecture of Dhabaleswar Temple
Apart from the main temple, there are several other smaller temples and shrines within the complex, dedicated to various deities. The temple also has a beautiful garden and a spacious courtyard, where visitors can relax and enjoy the serene surroundings.
The temple is known for its beautiful architecture, which is a blend of Kalinga and Dravidian styles. The main sanctum of the temple is a small chamber that houses a lingam, which is believed to be an incarnation of Lord Shiva.
The lingam is adorned with gold and silver ornaments, and is considered to be extremely auspicious by devotees.
One of the unique features of the Dhabaleswar Temple is that it can only be accessed by boat. Visitors have to take a short boat ride across the Mahanadi river to reach the temple.
The journey to the temple is quite scenic, with beautiful views of the river and the surrounding landscape.
How To Reach Dhabaleswar Temple?
By Air
Nearest airport from Dhabaleswar Temple is Bhubaneswar airport which is at a distance of about 57 Kms from this temple. From here you can easily reach this temple by hire a vehicle/Auto.
By Rail
Nearest local railway station is Kapilas road railway station which is at a distance of 26 Kms away from this temple.
From here you can easily reach this temple by hire a vehicle/Auto.
By Road
Nearest Bus depot is at Cuttack which is at a distance of 37 kms or at Jajpur which is 60 Kms away from this temple.
From here also you can easily reach this temple by hire a vehicle/Auto. And you can also reach here by using own vehicle as roads to this temple are well connected with the different cities.
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