About Bhubaneswar

Just a little background information regarding Bhubaneswar. Bhubaneswar, the capital city of Orissa with a population of around 900,000 (est) in 2010 (Source) is a cultural city with a rich, religious history spanning over 20 centuries. Sporting over 600 temples, the ancient city of Bhubaneswar is aptly considered the temple city, although the new part of the city was commissioned in the twentieth century.

General information regarding the historical, industrial, demographic and economic status of Bhubaneswar is freely available (for example) so we will focus on her temples and then only as a "brief appetiser" rather than as a "main course or major feast". In any case, Madhavananda prabhuji has amply covered the Glories of Sri Bhubaneswar in his Krsna Kathamrta mag #7 (the first Sivaji issue).

Of course, it is Srila Gour Govinda's Sri Sri Krsna Balaram mandir at Nayapali (part of Bhubaneswar) that interests us within the context of a Srila Gour Govinda Swami website but the Lingaraj temple in old Bhubaneswar town, and the Temple of the Sun at nearby Konark are the most famous, being very ancient temples.

There are also old, buddhist cave temples located at Udaigiri a short distance from Nayapalli.

Ancient architecture

S ome may consider Lord Sivaji's Lingaraj temple to be one of the most magnificent temples in the region, perhaps rivalled only by Sri Jagannatha mandir on the nearpy coastal city of Puri.

The Lingaraj is indeed a work of art. In 1994 I spent an afternoon swimming with 3 of the younger pujari/brahmacaris from the Lingaraja mandir at Gauri Kund (another local Bhubaneswar Sivaji temple) whilst on an outing with my dear friend Achutananda prabhu, and found them to be some of the sweetest devotees I had ever met. A swim in Gauri Kund is said to cure all illnesses. Hey, after a lifetime of over indulgence I am still alive aren't I? Works for me.

Westerners are not permitted to enter the Lingaraj temple.

Like the Jagannatha mandir at Puri, we heathen westerners may appreciate Lingaraj temple only from the street. Regarding the Jagannatha temple, Srila Gour Govinda Swami said, "My disciples are not allowed to enter the Jagannatha temple so I will bring Lord Jagannatha here" (to the Krsna Balaram mandir at Bhubaneswar), and I must add that Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhadraji do exhibit a strong presence there and very quickly became some of my favourite personalities during the time I spent there in 1994-97, rivalled only by Sri Sri Gour Nitai who mercifully stand opposite, on the left hand side of the main altar. Sri Sri Radha Gopinatha have their own, separate, lotus temple set apart from the Krsna Balarama temple, but I digress.

Whilst the Krsna Balarama mandir at Nayapali is probably the destination of any visitor to this website, the very advanced age of the other local temples provides us with an awesome glimpse of the length or duration of eternity. Western devotees ARE permitted to visit the temple of Ananta Vasudeva across the road from Bindu Sarovara, indeed a few of us were fortunate enough to receive Their merciful prasadam one hot day in mid 1996. Ananta Vasudeva are deities of Jagannatha Baladeva and Subhadraji in their nara (human) form, with arms and legs extended rather than withdrawn.

Bindu Sarovara contains the mercy of ALL holy waters. A little aside about Bindu Sarovara and Sri Ananta Vasudeva is included in the right hand column of this page.