Kedar Gouri, Siddheswara, Mukteswara and Parasurameswara Temples at Bhubaneswar, Orissa !

Continued from the post - Lingaraja Temple, Bhubaneshwar- लिंगराज मंदिर,भुवनेश्वर  !  

The beautiful Mukteshwara Temple at Bhubaneswar

         The three temples of Siddheswara, Mukteswara and Parasurameswara are near to each other. These are about 2 km from the Lingaraja Temple. The driver parked the vehicle on the side of the main road. From there we had to walk about 150 ft. On the right side was the beautiful campus of  Siddheswara and Mukteswara temple while on the left we saw a temple of Kedaar Gauri. While we could see a few tourists in the campus of Siddheswara and Mukteswara temple, the Kedar Gouri temple was buzzing with devotees. We decided to visit Kedar Gouri temple first. Like every other "Bhagawati" temple there were many flower and "prasad" shops near the gate of the temple. Buying some "prasad" we entered the main gate of the temple where on the both sides big lion statues welcome the devotees and went to Ganesha temple first. Then worshiped in Gouri temple, Kedar temple and Hanuman temple. There is a pond behind the temples. The Shivalinga in the Kedar temple is at lower level than the entrance level. In front of this temple there is a big "Bakul" tree in the courtyard. Beneath is worshiped "Mangala Bhagawati" which was established many years ago by a "Sadhu"  who lived here. Numerous small "Bakul" flowers had fallen from the tree and looked beautiful. 

 Siddheshwara Temple at Bhubaneswar

               After coming out of the temple complex we asked a local person about Siddheswara and Mukteswara temples. He told me that there is another old temple of "Parashurameshwar" 200 ft ahead. From there you come to Siddheswara and Mukteswara temples. These are interconnected. All four of us walked to "Parashurameshwar" temple. Its campus is small and big trees do not allow grass to grow in the campus. The outside of the temple has also weathered to some extent. When we entered the temple only a priest came to perform his own worship. No other tourist or devotee was coming. In the poorly lit hall we said our "Pranam" to "Parashurameshwar" Shivalinga and came out. Without coming to road we entered the campus of Siddheswara and Mukteswara temple through the interconnected gate. This campus was well maintained. The lawn was looking good with with green grass. The flowerbeds were planted with "Vaijayanti" flower plants. Yellow flowers with red dots were attractive. Two temples were about 100 ft apart. We first visited Siddheswara Temple. All these temples are based on Kalinga architecture. No one was inside this temple. I offered a "Shivalinga" flower to God. I had bought it inside the Lingaraja temple to have a picture of it because inside it they do not allow cameras. 

Canna Lily (Vaijayanti) flower in
the lawn of  Siddheswara Temple

                  Next we visited the Mukteshwara temple. Its stone arch gate is marvelous. There was a priest there who was giving us information about the architecture of the temple. He showed us an eight petaled carved lotus at the top of the ceiling in the chamber just before the "Garva-griha". Then we saw the campus and took some pictures. We saw a pond behind the Mukteshwara temple in which some devotees were taking a dip.  

An ornamental tree in
the campus of Siddheswara
Temple,Bhubaneswar

                 When we came back to our vehicle we asked our driver whether he had gone to "64-Yogini temple" before and would he take us there. He had not visited there. Some people told him that it was on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar and about 14 km away. So he decline but requested us to visit "Sai Baba" temple here. He was his follower. We still had time, so we agreed and took our seat in the taxi and set on for "Sai Baba" temple. 

 Next part of our journey at Bhubaneswar, in the coming blog ... !! 

Sai Baba and 64-Yogini temple at Bhubaneswar, Orissa!