The lanes of the old
city of Bhubaneshwar are choc-a-block with temples making you wonder if this is
how Delhi and other North Indian towns looked before the temples disappeared
and tombs appeared. In Bhubaneshwar, however, the temple building continued
with some minor sporadic hiccups. The result is that the beautiful city is
packed up to the rafters with temples. You just need to get lost in the lanes
to discover these jewels away from the more touristy spots.
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| The 7th Century Parasuramesvara Temple in Bhubaneshwar Odisha |
Beyond the well-known
Mukteshwar Temple is one of the earliest temples in Odisha. The Parasuramesvara
Temple was built in 7th century and is adorned with some fabulous carvings of
Ganesh, Kartikey and the Saptamaitrikas. Everything about the temple – the
spire, the intact jagmohan, the sumptuous sculpture including the rare ashtagrahas
on the sanctum entrance makes it a must-see temple.
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| The 10th century Shiv Temple hidden away in the lanes of Old Bhubaneshwar Odisha |
A little INTACH sign
indicates that there is a 10th century monument beyond. Now it gets
exciting. I am moving deeper into Old
Bhubaneshwar where tourists usually do not venture. Few directions later, I
find myself in a quiet temple complex seemingly submerged within modern houses.
This is a Shiv Temple with boundary wall, shrine like entrance, two minor
shrines and a well – this beauty took some finding but what a surprise. I have
the temple to myself. The weather is pleasant as I can discern the usual
household sounds. The closest a Delhi monument comes to the location and vibe
is Atgah Khan Tomb in the crowded Nizamuddin village.
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| The 15th Century Kotitirthesvar Temple in Bhubaneshwar Odisha |
So while Delhi has
balconies hanging over the tombs, here in Bhubaneshwar, the balconies and
verandahs seem to lead you into the temple. Odisha Tourism has done a good job
of installing signs so I do not miss the temples hidden behind the houses. Here
a verandah leads me to a simple looking 7th century Swarna Jalesvara
Temple. Continuing my walk through the lanes brings me to a 15th
century Kotitirthesvar Temple which is again a Shiv Temple. There is a small
water tank called Papanashini Kund where the locals bathe hoping to wash away
their sins.
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| Brightly painted home facades will greet you in the lanes announcing recent family matrimony - Bhubaneshwar, Orissa |
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| Subarnajaleswara & Sampurnajaleswara Temples in Bhubaneshwar Orissa |
Walking in the lanes of
this ancient city is almost therapeutic. Here, ancient temples are a way of
life just like the neighbourhood shop or park. They sit unobtrusively, a part
of the landscape. A solitary devotee drops in. I stand unnoticed. Rituals are
performed. Incense is lit, lips move in prayers. Words are whispered in Nandi’s
ears. Life goes on languidly. Colourful houses and temples keep appearing. Next
is the pair of Subarnajaleswara & Sampurnajaleswara Temples as kids play
around in the premises.
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| Life around Bindu Sagar - Bhubaneshwar Odisha |
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| Time for Contemplation - Spend an afternoon looking out to Bindu Sagar - Bhubaneshwar Odisha |
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| The 9th Century Mohini Temple overlooking the Bindu Sagar in Bhubaneshwar Odisha |
And then I emerge out to
see the waters of Bindu Sagar. This is a whole different world. There are even
more temples all around the rim of the lake. I sit under the shade of tree to
reflect. The atmospherics are wonderful here. Priests attired in colourful
dhotis perform services for the devotees. Devotees come down the steps of the
tank. They take water in their hands, mumble players and look to the sun. Cows
mill around. Kids are learning to ride bicycles. A sadhu indulges in a
soliloquy. I could spend the entire day here.
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| Ananta Basudev in Bhubaneshwar Odisha |
The main temple here is
the Ananta Basudev Temple and it is a beehive of activity as food is being
cooked. Earthen pots filled with rice and other delicacies simmer over wood
fired ovens. The devotees buy the food or ‘anna’ from the numerous shops filled
with pots. The feast is served on the spread banana leaves.
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| Sari and Sukasari Temples in Bhubaneshwar Odisha |
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| Chitrakarini Temple - One of the prettiest temples around Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneshwar Odisha |
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| Ganesh images are adorable here in Bhubaneshwar Odisha - Yameswara Temple |
Walking further, I come
to the fort like walls enclosing the Lingaraj Temple. I climb a platform to
catch a bird’s eye view. There are numerous shrines inside of all sizes.
Outside, along the periphery there are even more temples. The procession of the
temples seems to be unending. And these are the ones that are not even the more
popular ones. This is a pure bonanza for someone interested in temple
iconography as the riches of carvings and sculptures and architectural styles
spanning across centuries and dynasties can keep someone busy for months.
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| Vaital Temple in Bhubaneshwar Odisha |
So while Delhi
transports you to medieval age, here in Bhubaneshwar, it has been a splendid
day walking in Ancient India. The sun goes down as I sit by the stepped tank of
the Rameshwar Temple complex. For the locals, the day starts with a visit to
the neighbourhood temple. Now in the evening, people who have come to walk in
the park have settled around the steps of the temple. A group of devotees is singing bhajans. The
tabla beats echo through the darkening trees. I look back – the spires of the
temples have a golden halo around them. They are talking to me. I feel blessed.
For the first time in the day, I bow my
head in reverence. A walk in the glorious old city of Bhubaneshwar will do this
to you.
A version of the above story first
appeared in the July 2016 issue of magazine NRI Achievers
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