The temples of Odisha date back to as early as the 10th century CE. Dominated by the Kalinga form of architecture, the intricate carvings and layout of the temples speak for itself. Each temple is different in one aspect or the other but a common thread that ties them together is that of serenity and spirituality. For me, as a solo traveller, the temples of Odisha unfolded a peculiar experience.
Jagannath Puri
One of the most famous destinations for travellers in Odisha is the temple of Lord Jagannath (an incarnation of Lord Vishnu) in Puri. About sixty kilometers away from the capital city of Bhubaneswar, the temple is one of the four sacred pilgrimages ( Char Dham) for the people of Hindu faith. The temple saw its completion in the 12th century by Indrayumna, a king of the Avanti region.
It has been one of the most spoken-about temples in the media. The coastal town of Puri hosts the biggest and most spectacular Rath Yatra (Chariot festival) in the country, usually in the month of July. But that is just not it. The temple kitchen serves prasad to the devotees every day, feeding about two lakh people. It is one of the largest kitchens of the world cooking more than fifty things, to be served and consumed inside the premises.
Lingaraj Temple
An 11th-century architectural marvel, the Lingaraj Temple is perhaps the oldest temple that resides in the heart of the city of Bhubaneswar. However, there is a belief that the temple had existed even in the 6th-century CE, the last of its structures built during the 11th-century. The temple resides in a complex with other smaller temples around it. It glows to its full during the festival of Shivratri when the footfall of tourists increases to more than twenty times the usual.
Mukteswara Temple
The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva of the Hindu faith and saw its completion in the 10th century CE. One of the most beautiful temples in the city of Bhubaneswar, the intricate carvings and fineries denote a growth of the Kalinga form of architecture.
The temple is most-known and photographed for its Torona or arched gateway, a prominent feature of the temple structures of Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist faiths throughout South-East Asia.
Sun Temple
The most famous temple of all is the Sun Temple in Konark. Shaped like a giant chariot the, the temple is located on the shores of the Bay of Bengal. It was declared as a cultural UNESCO World Heritage site in the year 1984.
Also called as the Surya Devalaya, the temple represents a chariot of God drawn by seven horses on twelve pair of wheels.
The area between the wheels depicts music, art, dance, and eroticism. The outstanding architectural style is what draws tourists from all over the world. That and the most beautiful, colourful, and second-biggest festival of Odisha (the Rath Yatra of Puri, being the first), the Konark Festival. The festival is celebrated to mark the rebirth of Surya, Sun God. Pilgrims flock the town, bathe in the Chandrabhaga river or beach, offer prayers and walk about a distance of four kilometers to reach the temple on this auspicious day.
Inside the complex lies the Chhaya Devi Temple, a small shrine for the Goddess of shadow, often considered the consort of Lord Sun. The shrine dates back from 1100-1200 A.D.
Most temples in Odisha allow free entrance. Sun Temple charges a nominal entry fee.
Cameras or mobile phones are not allowed inside the temple of Lord Jagannath and Lingaraj temple.
The best time to visit Odisha would be the month of November when the weather is cooler and crowds thinner.
The best time to visit a temple would be early morning as most of them open by 6 a.m.
There are many other temples to visit, which I, unfortunately, had to give a miss this time. Some on my list are Gupteswar Temple Koraput, Brahmeswar Temple, Rajarani Temple in Bhubaneswar, and Harishankar Temple, Balangir.
I travelled solo through the entire state of Odisha and found it be safe for solo travellers.