Are you planning your next vacation with family and want to make the most of it? Or do you want to cleanse your soul while exploring some beautiful, grand, and historical temples? If your history-loving soul wants to know about the past of these temples and their stories, then I have a great suggestion for you! Check out “7 Historical Temples You Must Visit in Odisha: A Spiritual and Cultural Journey!”
Odisha, famous for its historical monuments, beautiful scenery, and beaches, can quite possibly meet all your requirements and serves as the perfect destination. The best historical temples in Odisha each have unique stories to tell about the region’s culture and heritage.
So, let’s not waste any time and dive straight into this article, where I’ll introduce you to the 7 historical temples you must visit in Odisha!
Jagannath Temple: Best historical temple in Odisha
Puri, the coastal district of Odisha has the must-visit historical temple of Odisha, the Jagganath Temple.
The historical temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu is one of the most sacred pilgrimage destinations in Odisha. It’s the perfect start to your spiritual journey, where you can seek the blessings of Lord Vishnu’s avatar, Lord Jagannath, along with his siblings Balabhadra and Subhadra.
Adding to its spiritual significance and drawing thousands of devotees each year, the world-famous Rath Yatra is organized by the Jagannath Temple, attracting visitors from all over the globe to receive blessings and partake in the grand celebration.
You should attend the Rath Yatra in Puri at least once on your traveling and spiritual bucket list. Trust me, the environment turns surreal, and you can feel the love and devotion for god both inside and all around you.
By the way, do you also want to know some interesting and mysterious stories and facts about the historical Jagannath Puri temple? During my last visit to this beautiful temple, a local behind me mentioned that it is said the flag on the top of the temple flows in the opposite direction of the wind.
Also, another intriguing fact is that no shadows of the temple are visible at any time of the day. Exciting, isn’t it? I highly suggest you visit this historical temple to witness all these amazing facts for yourself.
Surya Mandir, Konark Sun Temple: 7 Historical Temples You Must Visit in Odisha
Well, you’ve all heard about the famous Konark Temple in Odisha, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.A historical temple with its sheer beauty, which left Europeans awestruck with the way it was built centuries ago and led them to name it the ‘Black Pagoda,’ is none other than the Konark Sun Temple. Also known as the Surya Mandir or Sun Temple, it is one of the most beautifully constructed and must-visit temples.
The Hindu God Surya, or Sun, is honored in this temple made out of stone. The historical temple is designed in the shape of the Sun’s chariot, and one of its unique features is the presence of erotic sculptures, which are bold and beautiful representations of life on the temple’s walls.
The historical temple was built so that the rays of the sun fall directly on its main portion. A sundial said to have inspired the design of the wristwatch dial, is intricately carved on the temple. We must admit that the people back in those centuries were truly geniuses!
Additionally, the environment of the temple will calm your racing thoughts and bring peace to your heart. It’s truly one of the must-visit temples in Odisha.
The combination of reality and myth beautifully displayed here deserves the title of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
If you want to visit truly holistic places, monuments, and temples in India, you can check out our page: 11 Best Historical Monuments of Uttarakhand that will leave you awestruck
Lingaraj Temple, Bhubaneshwar
Do you know the Lingaraj temple, Bhubaneshwar is one of the largest historical temples in the city as well as in the whole state of Odisha?
The architecture of this temple is inspired by the Dravidian style, and it even features a Gopuram, which is typically seen in South Indian temples.
The must-visit historical temple Lingaraj is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Folktales suggest that the Shiva Lingam is self-originated, and devotees worship it as both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu.
As you enter the temple courtyard, you’ll notice a thousand Lingas, also known as Sahastralingas.
During my visit, I spoke with the priest of the temple, who mentioned a myth among Hindus that the temple’s tank water is believed to have healing powers and can be used to cure both spiritual and physical ailments.
You can check this by yourself when once you visit the temple!
Sakhi Gopal Mandir
The historical temple, which means “God who was a witness,” is known as Sakshi Gopal Temple or Satyabadi Gopinatha Temple. Dedicated to Lord Krishna, the temple is located near the historic Shri Jagannath Temple.
Almost in all Vishnu temples around the world, the prasad offered by devotees is made of rice, except at Sakshi Gopal Mandir. This historical temple has a unique tradition where the food offered by devotees must be made of wheat.
Also, let me share a famous tale I’ve heard from my mother related to the temple with you in brief. It’s about a young village boy who made Lord Krishna his witness and had Him accompany him to prove his point. However, the boy could not fulfill Krishna’s condition, resulting in Lord Krishna turning into stone. Devastated, the boy called all the villagers to show them the statue of Lord Krishna and told them the truth behind it. This convinced the villagers of his claim, and later, they built a small temple for Lord Krishna and named it ‘Sakshi Gopal Temple,’ which means the God who was a witness.
You should explore this must-visit temple in Odisha! It’s one of the best historical temples in Odisha.
Dhaulagiri Mandir
Do you remember the history lessons you had during your school days, especially the chapter about the famous Kalinga War?
Located on the banks of the Daya River, near Bhubaneswar, is Dhauli Giri Hill. This is the site where the famous Kalinga War was fought between the Mauryan Empire and the Kalinga Kingdom. After winning the war, King Ashoka was deeply moved by the destruction and decided to embrace Buddhism.
The famous historical temple Dhauli Giri, one of the best historical temples in Odisha, is built on this very site. The place and temple hold significant importance for the history and heritage of our country. The temple is not only a holy site but also a renowned tourist attraction for history enthusiasts.
You should visit this must-see temple with your family, especially with your kids, to share the important and historic events of our beautiful country, India.
Parsurameswara Temple
Mythologically rich and historically significant, the Parsurameswara Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Built around 650 years ago, it showcases the Nagara style of architecture are the best historical Temples You Must Visit in Odisha
When you visit the temple, you’ll see its walls adorned with intricate carvings, making it a beautiful visual treat. The historic temple features carvings of all 8 planets from Vedic astrology, except for the Ketu planet. Additionally, this must-visit temple includes the ‘Saptamatrikas,’ depicted in the form of Goddesses.
A local devotee mentioned that this spot is where Parashurama, one of the avatars of Lord Vishnu, is said to have punished himself.
The historic temple also includes a hall for worshippers, along with a tower and Vimana, similar to the structures found in many South Indian temples.
So, I hope you won’t miss this temple on your trip to Odisha!
Rajarani Temple
Also known as the ‘Love Temple’ due to its erotic carvings of men and women, the Rajarani Mandir was built in the 11th century. The historical temple features numerous carved figures of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, depicting various moods from their marital life
One unique aspect of this historical temple is that it has no sculptures or idols of gods inside the main area and does not belong to any particular sect. People of all religions and ethnicities are welcome to visit.
The sacred and popular historical temple is made of reddish-gold sandstone. In the local language, this colored sandstone is called ‘Rajarani,’ which is why the temple is named Rajarani Mandir. The temple boasts stunning architecture and will leave you awestruck with its charm!
Conclusion
From the Shri Jagannath Temple to the ‘Love Temple’ of Odisha, you can explore these 7 must-visit historical temples on your next journey to this eastern state of India! The beauty and grandeur of these temples will surely amaze you, and the stories associated with them are bound to surprise you. So, take a break from your spontaneous lifestyle, explore these temples, and spend some time on the beaches of Puri after receiving the blessings of Shri Jagannath ji.
If you’re truly fond of Hindu temples, be sure to visit our blog 11 Historical Temples of South India to explore the historical stories and temples of India.