Bhaskareswara Temple on Tankapani Road is home to the tallest Shiva Linga in Bhubaneswar — a 9-foot Vrihalingam that locals believe is still growing. Entry is free, and the temple opens every day from 6 AM to 10 PM. If you want a peaceful darshan without any crowd, come before 8 in the morning or around sunset.
The Essentials
Timings: 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM, all days. No entry fee.
The Linga: 9 feet tall, 12 feet in circumference. Visible from both floors of this unique two-storey mandira.
Best Time: Weekday early mornings or golden hour evenings. Avoid Mahashivratri if you want a quiet visit.
Quick Info
Feature | Details |
|---|---|
Timings | 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM (all days) |
Entry Fee | Free |
Footwear | Strictly not allowed inside |
Photography | Ask the priest before shooting inside the sanctum |
Location | Tankapani Road, near Brahmeswara Square, Pandav Nagar |
Distance | ~3.5 km from City Centre; ~4 km from Railway Station |
Main Festival | Magha Saptami (Jan–Feb), Mahashivratri |
Prasad | Available from priest; no formal counter |
Parking | Roadside parking along Tankapani Road; no dedicated lot |
Phone | +91 674 243 2177 |
The moment you step inside the park surrounding Bhaskareswara Temple, the noise of Tankapani Road just drops away. There is a long paved walking path that goes around the boundary — joggers use it in the morning, devotees in the evening. A few old trees give shade, and seasonal flowers are kept well. The temple itself stands slightly to the northwest of this garden square. It does not announce itself the way Lingaraja or Mukteshwara does. No elaborate carvings, no grand gopuram. Just a clean stone tower rising above the platform, with Nandi sitting quietly at the western entrance.
The smell of dhuna and fresh flowers is there when the priest is doing rituals. Temple bells ring at morning and evening aarti. But on a regular weekday morning, you might find yourself almost alone here — which, honestly, feels like a gift in a city full of busy temple circuits.
The Story Behind the Lingam
This is the part most visitors never hear about, and it is the most interesting thing about this place.
The Vrihalingam inside Bhaskareswara — 9 feet tall, 12 feet around — has measurements that do not fit any normal Shivalinga. Scholars have pointed out that these dimensions match an Ashokan pillar. After the Kalinga War, Emperor Ashoka is believed to have erected pillars and stupas across Odisha. Remains of a Buddhist stupa railing pillar and a lion capital were found right here, in nearby Badagada village, and are currently displayed at the Odisha State Museum. The theory goes: the Ashokan pillar broke or was broken, its column was shaped into a Shivalinga, and the lion capital was buried. Later, the Ganga kings built a temple around it in the 12th century.
The local community in this neighbourhood has a completely different story, and they have believed it for generations. The Linga, they say, was growing on its own — inch by inch, year by year. There was a prophecy that if it kept growing, it would either crack the earth open or block the sun itself. One day, a devoted Shiva worshipper came, placed his palm on the Linga, and prayed for it to stop. It did. The Ganga kings then built the temple around it so the lord could be worshipped in peace.
No one can say for certain which version is true. The mystery is part of what makes this place special. As one visitor noted in their review: "Old ancient temple of Shiva. The linga is increasing automatically year after year." That belief is very much alive in the local community today.
There is one more sign of this temple's former importance. Every year on Magha Saptami (the 7th day of the waxing moon in January–February), the movable image of Lord Lingaraja — Chandrasekhar — is brought here in a procession. The lord is bathed, dressed, offered food, and worshipped with music and celebration before being taken back to Lingaraja Temple in the afternoon. The idea is that Lingaraja, the current overlord of Bhubaneswar's temples, pays a formal annual visit to this older shrine. That tradition has continued for centuries.
How Bhaskareswara Compares
Feature | Bhaskareswara Temple | Brahmeswara Temple | Rajarani Temple |
|---|---|---|---|
Vibe | Quiet, local, deeply calm | Peaceful, slightly more visited | More touristy, archaeological park feel |
Best Time | Early morning or golden hour | Any time | Morning, good for photography |
Prasad | Available from priest | Available | No formal prasad |
Entry Fee | Free | Free | ASI ticket (₹25 Indians, ₹300 foreigners) |
Architecture | Unique two-storey, no Jagamohana | Classic Kalinga style | Ornate, sculpture-heavy |
Distance from Each Other | — | ~600 metres away | ~1 km away |
All three are on or near Tankapani Road and can be covered in a single 2–3 hour walk.
The Darshan Experience
Getting in: Remove footwear at the entrance to the park or just before the western door. The western entrance is the only active one for darshan. The other three doorways at the ground level exist but are blocked.
Ground Floor: A wire mesh metal door opens into a narrow passage leading to the inner sanctum. From here you can see the base of the Shivalinga. The top is hidden by the ceiling — you cannot see it from down here. There are a few stone arches added for structural support. Keep in mind, there is no railing after the stone floor ends near the Linga. The priest performs all rituals from this level.
First Floor: Climb the flight of stairs inside. One entrance on the western side. The three other sides have small windows housing the Parsvadevatas — Ganesha, Parvati, and Kartikeya (Ganesha on the north, Parvati on the south, Kartikeya on the east face). From up here, you can see the top of the Shivalinga clearly. A brass snake is coiled around the top. Smaller lingas donated by devotees over the years line the inner walls. A large colourful applique cover — Odia style fabric work — hangs like an umbrella above the lord. Watch your step on this floor. There is no boundary wall or railing at the edge, and the drop to the stone base below is about 9 feet.
Aarti and Prasad: Aarti happens in the morning and evening. The priest offers prasad — primarily flowers and vibhuti (sacred ash). There is no token system or counter. Just speak to the priest directly. Most days this is a simple, unhurried exchange.
Photography: Do not shoot inside the sanctum without asking. Outside in the park is fine.
Visitor Tips & Parking
Getting There:
From Bhubaneswar Railway Station: ~4 km, 10–15 minutes by auto (₹60–80)
From Biju Patnaik Airport: ~5.8 km, 15–20 minutes by cab
From Old Town / Lingaraja area: 10–15 minutes by auto
Landmark to tell the auto driver: "Brahmeswara Square, Tankapani Road" — the temple is right there at the junction
Parking: There is no dedicated parking lot here. Roadside parking along Tankapani Road is available. On festival days like Magha Saptami or Mahashivratri, the road gets busy and parking can be difficult after 8 AM. Come early on those days or walk from Brahmeswara Temple which is just 600 metres away.
Dress Code: Modest clothing expected. Shoulders and knees covered is the standard. No strict enforcement, but it is a working temple with active puja — dress accordingly.
Crowd Pattern: This temple sees very few visitors compared to the main circuit. On regular days you may have it almost to yourself. Crowds pick up only on Mahashivratri, Shravan Maas Mondays, and during the Magha Saptami procession.
Best Season: November to March. The garden is at its best, weather is pleasant, and the morning light on the stone tower is worth the early wake-up.
Combine With: Brahmeswara Temple (600 m), Rajarani Temple (1 km), and Kedar Gauri Temple are all on this road. Half a day covers all of them comfortably.
Common Questions
What are the timings of Bhaskareswara Temple? The temple is open 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM, all seven days of the week. No holiday closures noted.
Is there an entry fee? No. Entry is completely free for everyone.
How do I reach Bhaskareswara Temple from Bhubaneswar Railway Station? Take an auto-rickshaw and ask for Brahmeswara Square on Tankapani Road. Distance is about 4 km, fare is roughly ₹60–80. The temple is right at the crossing.
Can I see the Shivalinga from both floors? Yes. From the ground floor you see the base. You must climb the inner staircase to the first floor to see the top of the Linga. Both views are different and both are worth it.
Is mobile photography allowed inside? Photography in the park and exterior is fine. Inside the sanctum, always check with the priest first before taking out your phone.
What is the main festival here? Two major ones. Magha Saptami (January–February) is the biggest — Lord Lingaraja's image is brought here in procession. Mahashivratri also draws significant crowds. Shravan Maas Mondays see steady devotee footfall throughout the monsoon months.
Is there prasad available? Prasad is available but informally — the priest offers flowers and vibhuti (sacred ash). There is no counter or token system. Just interact directly with the priest after your darshan.
What is the significance of the Linga being called Vrihalingam? Vrihalingam means "the great linga" in Sanskrit. Local sacred texts describe it this way because of its unusual size — 9 feet tall, 12 feet in circumference. This is also why the temple was built on a raised platform in two storeys, an architectural design found nowhere else in Odisha — the entire structure exists to house and honour this one extraordinary Shivalinga.