If you are planning to visit the most architectural temples in India, then it’s good to visit temples in Odisha. The architectural work that you see in Odishan temples are known among the tourists all over the world. Thousands of people come to Orissa to visit the temples at Orissa, just to explore the sculptures and fine architectural work done on temples. The state of Odisha has many beautiful temples.
Let’s Take a Look at Top 9 Temples in Odisha With Details:
1. Jagannath Temple in Puri of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra:
The Char Dham pilgrimage spots are very important and significant for Hindu devotees. Sri Jagannath temple located in the coastal town of Puriis one of the four Char Dham spots built in the 12th century. Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra are the presiding deities of the temple. Lord Jagannath is a form of Lord Vishnu. The famous Chariot festival or RathYatra is the most prominent festival of the temple and it is immensely popular. The temple is famous for its Annual Rath Yathra in which the three main temple deities are decorated in temple cars. The wooden figure of Lord Jagannath is replaced by using some scared trees carved as an exact replica of the original.
- Temple Timings: All days open from 5.00 am to 11.00 pm.
- Temple Address: Jagannath Temple, Puri Taluk of Puri district, Orissa – 752020.
- Dress Code: There is no such dress code for entering Jagannath Temple Puri, Odisha.
- How to Reach: By train, get down at Puri railways station and from there 7kms to the temple. If coming by road, come via Red Cross Road for 3.1km. By airways, you need to get down at Bhubaneshwar airport and travel.
- Best Time to Visit: The Annual Rath Yatra held at the Sri Jagannath Temple is the best time to visit.
- Nearest Attraction: Narendra Sarovara, Chilika wildlife sanctuary, Puri beach, Sudarshan craft museum.
2. Maa Tara Tarini Temple Near Brahmapur City:
Maa Tara Tarini temple is one of the oldest pilgrimage centres of the Mother Goddess and is one of the four major Shakti Peethas in India. It is located on the Kumari hills at the bank of the River Rushikulya near Brahmapur city in Ganjam district. It is believed that Sati Devi’s breasts were fallen here in the temple and the shrine is referred to as Maa Tara Devi. Chaitra Mela or Yatra is the most widely celebrated festival here. Apart from history, there are certain mysteries evolved around this temple. This place is very important for Hindu people as it is believed that all wishes will be fulfilled by Maa Tara Tarini if they pray from their heart.
- Temple Timings: 5.00 am to 12.35 pm, 2.15 pm – 9.45 pm, the night timings may vary.
- Temple Address: Temple Road, Near Rushikulya River, Raipur, Odisha 761018.
- Dress Code: No specific dress code to visit Maa Tara Tarini Temple.
- How to Reach: By air- get down at Bhubaneshwar airport (174km away), by train halt at Berhampur which is 32km away and by road, take the direct bus from Berhampur to Tara Tarini junction (32km).
- Best Time to Visit: The Chaitra Mela is the best time to visit this temple.
- Nearest Attraction: Gopalpur beach, Jiranga Monastery.
3. Konark Sun Temple in Konark of Lord Sun:
Konark Sun temple located in Konark is a 13th century Sun temple built to be built around 1250. Though the major part of the structure is now in ruins, it is shaped like a gigantic chariot elaborately carved with stones wheels, walls and pillars. It is dedicated to the Sun God, Surya. The temple’s wheels are sundials which can be used to calculate time. The Sun Temple of Konark is made with black granite and hence known as the ‘Black Pagoda’. Known for its exquisite stone carvings and architecture, Konark Sun Temple is one of the most crowded Odisha temples. A daily light and sound show is there for tourists which will start at 7.00pm and end at 8.00pm.
- Temple Timings: 6.00 am to 8.00 pm
- Temple Address: Konark, Odisha 752111
- Dress Code: No specific dress code
- How to Reach: By air, drop at Bhubaneshwar airport which is 64kms away. By train drop at Puri railway station which is 31kms away and by road, halt at Puri bus stand which is 35kms away.
- Best Time to Visit: The time between 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm IST is a great time to visit the Konark Sun Temple to see the light and sound show.
- Nearest Attraction: Chandra bhaga sea beach which is just 3kms away
4. Ram Mandir in Bhubaneshwar:
A temple complex located in the heart of Bhubaneshwar is Ram Mandir which houses images of Lord Rama, Lord Lakshman and Goddess Sita. The temple also has shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva, Hanumana along with other gods and goddesses. Ram Mandir celebrates several Hindu festivals among which the most popular ones are Ram Navami, Vivaha Panchami, Dussehra, Janmashtami, Shiva Ratri and Pana Sankranti. The temple holds an annual fair on Raksha Bandhan which attracts many people. The temple timings may vary on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday but the usual timings for other days are from 6.00 am to 9.30 pm. Another highlighting feature of this temple is that there is a special Aarathi that is being offered in the morning and evening for which many tourists come to see from all parts of the country.
- Temple Timings: 6.00 am – 9.30 pm
- Temple Address: Naka Gate Chowk, Khandagiri, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751030
- Dress Code: no specific dress code
- How to Reach: By bus, get into bus no.333 and halt at Naka Gate stop. Or else, get into bus nos.405, 423 and drop at The World stop.
- Best Time to Visit: Dussehra, Janmashtami, Ram Navami, Pana Sankranti, Shiv Ratri and Vivah Panchami are the best times to visit this city.
- Nearest Attraction: Isckon temple, Orissa Modern Art gallery, Mueseum of trtibal arts and artifacts, Biju Patnaik park, Udayagiri caves, Nandankanan zoological park.
5. Dhabaleswar Temple in Cuttack:
Dhabaleswar temple is situated at a distance of 37 km away from Cuttack in the beautiful island of Dhabaleswar and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is located at the banks of the River Mahanadi and has stone carvings that date back to the early 10th and 11th century. The main festivals celebrated here are Shiva Ratri, a fair on the Shukla Paksha Chaturdashi, Pausha Purnima, Dol Purnima and Kartika Purnima. Dhabaleswar temple is one of the oldest Odisha temples.
- Temple Timings: 5.00 am to 12.30 pm and 1.00 pm to 9.00 pm
- Temple Address: Canal Rd, Ranihat Colony, Cuttack, Odisha 753007
- Dress Code: No Specific Dress Code
- How to Reach: if you are coming by bus, drop at Cuttack which is 37 k from the temple. By air, the nearest airport is Bhubaneshwar which is 14 kms away from the temple. By train, the nearest local station is Kapilas road (52 kms) and nearest mail station is Cuttack (38 kms)
- Best Time to Visit: Dol Purnima, Kartik Purnima, Pausha Purnima, Shiv ratri and Shukla Paksha Chaturdashi are the best times to visit this temple.
- Nearest Attraction: Odisha maritime museum, Nandankanan zoological park, Barabati fort and Cuttack deer park.
6. Mukteshvara Temple in Bhubaneshwar of Lord Shiva:
Mukteshvara temple is also located in the capital of Odisha, Bhubaneshwar. This Hindu temple was built in the 10th century and is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Mukteshvara which means ‘God of Freedom’. The temple complex’s outer walls have niches of Hindu Gods and Goddess, like for example, Goddess Saraswati, Ganesha and Lakulisha. A three-day yearly dance festival known as Mukteshvar Dance Festival is organized every year within the premises. The temple is located at 35 meters height which is why it is considered to be an important landmark in the study of history and architecture of Orissa temples. The interiors of this temple is carved with fine architectural works and sculptures. Although this temple is a small one, many people come to visit Mukteswara temple every day as it is believed that all of our wishes come true when prayed from the bottom of our heart.
- Temple Timings: All days 6.30 am to 7.30 pm
- Temple Address: Bhubhaneswar, Odisha
- Dress Code: no specific dress code
- How to Reach: One can easily reach Lord Siva’s Mukteswara temple by catching any buses or taxis from Bhubaneswar.
- Best Time to Visit: The yearly Mukteshwar dance festival is a good time to visit this temple.
- Nearest Attraction: Ekamra heritage walks, Lingaraja temple, Museum of tribal arts and artifacts and Dhauli giri hills.
7. Lingaraja Temple in Bhubaneshwar:
One of the oldest temples in Odisha, Lingaraja temple is located in Bhubaneshwar. It’s a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Harihara, an incarnation of Lord Shiva. The temple is built in Kalinga architectural style. The temple’s Deula styled construction includes four components which are Vimana, Jagamohana, Natamandira and Bhoga-mandapa. Bindusagar tank’s watter is believed to heal spiritual and physical illness which is why pilgrims take a holy dip in the river during festivals. The main festivals of the temple are Shiva Ratri and RathaYatra. The best time to visit Lingaraja temple in Bhubaneswar is during the Sivaratri celebrations. One of the unique features of Lingaraja temple is that the lingam has been believed to be originated by its own. Therefore it is also known as Swayambhu, hence the deity is worshipped as both Lord Vishnu and Shiva.
- Temple Timings: open on all days from 5.00 am to 9.00 pm
- Temple Address: Rath Rd, Lingaraj Nagar, Old Town, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751002
- Dress Code: no specific dress code
- How to Reach: If you are coming by air, get down at Biju Patnaik airport. By road, there are several buses that go to Mukteswara temple. If you are coming by rail, get down at Bhubhaneswar station.
- Best Time to Visit: Shivratri and Mondays are the best time to visit this temple.
- Nearest Attraction: Dhauli giri hills, Ekamra heritage walls, Ratnagiri Buddhist excavation and Ashokan rock edict.
8. Rajarani Temple in Bhubaneshwar:
The ‘love temple’ as referred by the locals of Bhubaneshwar is the Rajarani temple. It derives its local name from its erotic carvings of women and couples within the temple premises. The temple is classified as Saivite based on the niches but is not dedicated to any gods or goddesses in particular. The temple is said to be built sometime around 11th and 12th centuries. A three day Rajarani Music Festival is organized by the temple within the complex every year which mainly focuses on classical, Hindustani, Carnatic and Odissi music.
- Temple Timings: Open on all days – 6.30 am to 7.00 pm
- Temple Address: Tankapani Rd, Near BOI ATM, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751002
- Dress Code: No specific dress code
- How to Reach: While coming by train, get down at Master canteen chowk and if you are coming by airways, get down at Biju Patnaik airport .
- Best Time to Visit: The Rajarani Festival that lasts for 3 days is a good time to visit the Rajarani Temple.
- Nearest Attraction: Dhauligiri Shanti Stupa, Isckon temple, Udaygiri caves, Vaital deul temple and Ekamra Kanan.
9. Gundicha Temple in Puri of Lord Vishnu:
Gundicha temple located in Puri mostly remains vacant the whole year but during annual RathaYatra of Puri, it is the significant destination. It has images of the deities Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra throughout the 9 days of the chariot festival. The temple is known as the Garden House of Jagannath and is built in Kalinga style architecture. The temple is made using light color grey sandstone. The main attraction of this temple is the huge and beautiful garden that is spread around the temple. Hence Gundicha temple is also known as The Garden House of Jagannath.
- Temple Timings: Open on all days from 6.00 am to 10.00 pm
- Temple Address: Puri, Odisha 752020
- Dress Code: no specific dress code
- How to Reach: by air the nearest airport to halt is Bhubaneswar which is 60 kms away from the temple. By rail, the nearest station is Puri.
- Best Time to Visit: The nine-day chariot festival also known as Rath Yatra, is a good time to visit this temple.
- Nearest Attraction: Chilika wildlife sanctuary, Puri beach, Jagannath temple and Vimala temple.
If you are bored with your busy schedule and would like to have a look at our ancient history and sculptures, then a temple visit at Odisha is the best choice to go for. All these temples that have been listed above are known for its exquisite architectural works and stone carvings. If you had been here before to any of these above temples, please share your valuable feedback. Let us share our experiences so that everyone can get information on our super historical temples.
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers:
1. How far is the Gundicha temple from the nearest major Railway station?
Ans: It is nearly 1km. From the railway station.
2. Which would be the cheapest place to visit in Odisha?
Ans: All the temples are very cheap to visit, there is no entry fee for the temples like Konkan sun temple, Jagannath Temple Lingaraja Temple. Almost all the above-mentioned temples are free to enter.
3. Which season would be the best to visit?
Ans: Orissa has a humid climate in summer, there is a mid-cold like weather in winters so Winter will the appropriate season to visit.
