The Bhaskaresvara Temple on Tankapani Road is one of Bhubaneswar's most striking Shiva mandiras — and the first thing that surprises visitors is that the sanctum sits below ground level. You step down into the garbhagriha, not up. That alone makes it different from most temples in Old Town.
The Essentials
Open 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM daily. Entry is free.
The lingam sanctum is underground — bring light footwear you can remove quickly.
Weekday mornings (7–9 AM) are the quietest time for a peaceful darshan.
Quick Info
Feature | Details |
|---|---|
Timings | 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM |
Entry Fee | Free |
Footwear | Not allowed inside — remove at the steps |
Photography | Ask the priest before shooting near sanctum |
Location | Tankapani Road, Old Town, Bhubaneswar |
Main Festival | Mahashivaratri, Shravan Somavar |
Prasad/Bhoga | Available — check at the Mandira counter in the morning |
Nearest Landmark | Near Mukteswar Temple, Old Town area |
Parking | Roadside parking on Tankapani Road; limited space on busy days |
The Bhaskaresvara Temple carries that old-Bhubaneswar feeling — the smell of dhuna smoke, the sound of a bell rung by a morning devotee, the wet stone floor near the entrance. The Kalinga-style shikhara rises above a neighbourhood that still feels like it belongs to the 11th century. It is an active temple, used daily by locals from the surrounding lanes, not just a heritage site. The vibe here is more personal, more intimate compared to the bigger mandiras nearby.
What makes the experience unique is that descent into the sanctum. You walk down stone steps to reach the Shiva lingam, which feels like entering the earth itself. Many devotees say this adds to the spiritual weight of the darshan. The lingam is well-adorned, and during Shravan month, the priests perform abhishek with milk and water multiple times a day.
The Legend Behind the Temple
Local lore around Bhaskaresvara centres on the idea of the swayambhu — the self-manifested lingam. According to the story told by priests and older residents of the area, the lingam was not installed by human hands. It was found already present, deep in the ground, which is why the sanctum had to be built going downward into the earth rather than rising above it. This is also considered the reason why Bhaskara — one of the names of Shiva associated with radiance and light — chose this spot. The earth itself was said to glow where the lingam was discovered.
This kind of swayambhu legend is common across Odisha's Old Town temples, but the underground sanctum here gives it a physical form that other temples do not. You can actually see and feel the logic of the legend when you descend those steps.
Comparison With Nearby Temples
Feature | Bhaskaresvara Temple | Mukteswar Temple | Lingaraj Temple |
|---|---|---|---|
Vibe | Quiet, personal, intimate | Heritage-heavy, tourist-friendly | Grand, crowded, powerful |
Best Time | 7–9 AM weekdays | Morning, any day | Early morning or evening aarti |
Prasad/Bhoga | Available at counter | Limited | Elaborate Mahaprasad system |
Entry for Non-Hindus | Generally open | Open (platform only at Mukteswar) | Not permitted inside |
Unique Feature | Below-ground sanctum | Intricately carved torana | Largest Shiva mandira in Bhubaneswar |
The Darshan Experience
When you arrive at Bhaskaresvara, pick up puja items — flowers, bilva leaves, and a small coconut — from the vendors on the road just outside. They are usually set up from 6:30 AM onwards. Prices are standard: a small puja thali runs around ₹20–₹40.
Remove footwear at the base of the entrance steps. The stone can get slippery in the monsoon, so hold the railing. You will descend into the sanctum, which is well-lit with diyas and sometimes electric lights. The lingam is placed at the lowest point. Join the small queue, complete your pradakshina if space allows, offer your bilva and flowers, and ring the bell above.
Prasad and Bhoga: Being an active temple, bhoga is prepared and offered daily. The best way to get prasad is to ask at the Mandira counter (usually a small room or a designated priest near the entrance) first thing in the morning. During Mahashivaratri and Shravan Somavar, the queue is long — arrive before 7 AM.
Aarti timings: Morning aarti happens around 7–8 AM and evening aarti is around 7 PM. The evening aarti is the more elaborately conducted of the two.
Visitor Tips & Parking
Getting there: Bhaskaresvara Temple is on Tankapani Road in the Old Town area. If you are coming from Bhubaneswar Railway Station, it is roughly 3–4 km. The easiest way is to take an auto or cab and ask for "Bhaskaresvara Mandir, Tankapani Road" — locals in Old Town know it.
Parking: There is no dedicated parking lot. Street parking on Tankapani Road is available but space is limited, especially during Shravan month and on festival days. If you come by bike or scooter, parking is easier. Four-wheelers may need to park a lane away and walk in.
Dress code: Modest clothing expected. Men should ideally wear dhoti or at least pants — no shorts. Women should wear saree or salwar. The priests are polite about it but it is considered respectful.
Best time to visit: Weekday mornings between 7 and 9 AM. Avoid Sunday mornings and any Somavar (Monday) during Shravan — these get genuinely crowded and darshan can take 30–45 minutes of waiting.
Mobile phones: Photography inside the sanctum should be done only after asking the priest. Most priests say no to flash photography near the lingam. Outside in the courtyard is generally fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there an entry fee at Bhaskaresvara Temple? No. Entry is completely free for all devotees.
What are the temple timings? The temple is open from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM every day, including Sundays and public holidays.
Can non-Hindus visit Bhaskaresvara Temple? Generally yes — there is no formal restriction at the entry. However, the sanctum is a small, sacred space and it is respectful to follow all rules (dress code, no footwear, no photography without permission).
Is Mahaprasad or bhoga available? Yes. Bhoga is prepared daily as this is an active mandira. Check with the priest at the Mandira counter in the morning to confirm availability and timings on the day you visit.
What is the best route from Bhubaneswar City Centre or Railway Station? Take an auto or Ola/Uber heading toward Old Town, Tankapani Road. You can also mention Mukteswar Temple as a reference point — Bhaskaresvara is a short walk from there. Google Maps recognises the temple by name.
Is UPI payment accepted for puja items outside the temple? The vendors outside accept cash mostly. Some may accept UPI (PhonePe, Google Pay), but carry ₹50–₹100 cash to be safe, especially for small flower offerings and bilva leaves.
Why is the sanctum below ground level? It is believed the Shiva lingam here is swayambhu — self-manifested — and was found deep in the earth. The temple was built around and below the original site, which is why devotees descend into the garbhagriha rather than entering at ground level.
Is parking easy to find on weekends? Not always. Weekend mornings, especially Mondays (Somavar) and during Shravan, parking is tight on Tankapani Road. Come by two-wheeler or be prepared to park slightly away and walk 5–10 minutes.