The Parsurameswara Temple is a 7th and 8th century CE Lord Shiva temple located in the East Indian city of Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha, India. This temple is considered to be the best-preserved temple of an early Odia Hindu temple dated to the Shailodbhava period between the 7th and 8th centuries CE.

The temple is purely dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva and is one of the state’s oldest structures. It is thought to have been built in Nagara style around 650 CE and has all of the main features of pre-10th century Kalinga Architecture style temples.

Significance of Parsurameswara Temple

It is the first temple to have an additional structure called jagamohana, as compared to the prior temples that only had the vimana. Even though the temple is dedicated to Shiva, it contains sculpted images of Shakta deities, which are normally found in Shakta temples.

Chamunda, Varahi, Indrani, Vaishnavi, Kaumari, Shivani, and Brahmi are among the Saptamatrikas depicted in the temple, which is the first in Bhubaneswar. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) maintains and administers the temple as a ticketed monument.

History of Parsurameswara Temple

The Parashurameshvara Temple is part of the Parashurameshvara group of temples, which are among the oldest in Bhubaneswar. Some historians believe that the Parashurameshvara Temple was built in the early 8th century CE, following the construction of the Satruguneswar, Bharateswar, and Lakshmaneswar temples in the late 7th century, though K.C.Panigrahi places the date at 650 CE. Most scholars agree on a mid-7th century date based on style and the presence of the eight planets that appear over the door to the inner sanctum, as later temples depict nine.

The Shailodbhavas, who worshipped Shiva as their family deity, built the Parashurameshvara Temple. The Shailodbhavas also revered Shakta deities and depicted Shakta images on the temple walls. The temple was repaired in 1903, with some changes to the inner sanctum roof while retaining the majority of the original structure.

Because of its location on the eastern coast, Parashurameshvara, like other Odishan temples, was unaffected by Muslim invasions in the 12th and 13th centuries. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) maintains and administers the temple as a ticketed monument in modern times.

The Architecture of Parsurameswara Temple

The Parasurameswara Temple is renowned for its Kalinga-style construction. The shrine’s spire (Shikhara) is designed in the Pancharatha style. The temple is divided into two sections: the sanctum (Vimana) and the prayer hall (Jagmohana). The sanctum is square, with its walls divided into segments called Pagas or Rathas. The prayer hall, on the other hand, is rectangular with a terraced roof.

The prayer hall’s main entrance features exquisite elephant carvings. The hall has two windows on the west side and one on each of the north and south sides. These windows feature sculptures of musicians and dancers in an interlaced design. It also has a doorway in the south direction.

The north wall of Jagamohana is adorned with sculptures of deities such as Lord Ganesha and Goddess Chamunda, as well as images of the Saptamatrikas – the seven Hindu goddesses who represent power (Shakti). These goddesses are known as Brahmi, Maheshwari, Kaumari, Vaishnavi, Varahi, Indrani, and Chamundeshwari.

The porch and the temple’s outer walls are adorned with carvings of animals, flowers, couples, mythological stories, and Hindu deity figures. The shrine also has images of Ardhanareswara, Ganga, Yamuna, Lord Shiva, and Goddess Parvati engraved on its walls. Lord Shiva has been depicted as Nataraja in various dancing poses.

Important Facts about Parsurameswara Temple

• Parashurameshvara Temple is an ancient 7th and 8th century CE Hindu Temple located near Bindu Sagar Pond, Kedar Gouri Vihar, Old Town, Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
• It is one of the oldest and most famous temples in Bhubaneswar, as well as one of the most visited tourist attractions in the city.
• The Parashurameshvara  Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is well-known for its exquisite carvings and sculptural work.
• The temple, which was built in the 7th century CE, is an important monument in the study of the development of Hindu temples in Odisha.
• The temple is one of the earliest examples of the Nagara style of Hindu temple architecture, which emphasises vertical structure and can be seen in subsequent temples such as Mukteshvara, Lingaraj, and Rajarani in Bhubaneswar, as well as the Sun Temple in Konark.
• The pilasters of Jaga Mohan and the faces of the temple’s vimana have grotesque figures of vetalas (ghosts).
• The temple houses the earliest depiction of a six-armed Mahishamardini (Durga) image, depicted inside a gavaksha frame from the chest upward, wearing a headdress, karna kundala (ornament), mala (garland), and kankana (anklet).
• Though the temple is a Shaiva shrine, it has sculpted images of many Shakta deities as Parsvadevatas on its walls.
• The temple is the first in Bhubaneswar to house images of the Saptamatrika, a group of seven goddesses.
• The Parsurameswar Temple is a must-see during the Shardiya Navratri, Maha Shivratri, Shravan Maas, and Diwali festivities because the large Melas held during these major celebrations are awe-inspiring.

Best Time to Visit Parsurameswara Temple

This place is very heavenly and spiritual, and you can visit it all year. The best time to visit this Parsurameswara Temple is during the monsoon and winter seasons. During the monsoon season, this location receives moderate to heavy rainfall, making it appear heavenly with its greenery and bringing freshness elsewhere.

Famous Festivals In Parsurameswara Temple

• Dussehra – Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashmi, is celebrated on the tenth day after Navaratri to commemorate the triumph of good over evil.
• Shravana: For happiness and wealth, many fasts, offerings, and mantras are performed during the fifth month of the Hindu calendar, known as Shravana.
• Mahashivaratri is a fasting ritual that takes place in the last week of February. It is reminiscent of Lord Shiva bringing Goddess Parvati with him. A Grand Celebration is arranged by priests and the temple committee.
• Parasumastami – The main festival celebrated in the Parasurameswara Temple is Parasumastami, this festival falls in the month of Ashada (June and July).
• Durga Puja. (Winter) – Devotees celebrate Navaratri at this temple in the month of Ashwin (Sep-Oct).
• Navaratri. (Summer) – They celebrate other Navaratri in the fortnight of the Chaitra (March-April). Every nine days they worship Navadurga (nine Durgas).

How to Reach Parsurameswara Temple

Bhubaneshwar the capital city of Odisha is well connected by Air, Train, or Road.

By Air: The Parsurameswara Temple is about 4.5 kilometres from the Biju Patnaik International Airport, and it takes about 10 minutes to get there by auto rickshaw or taxi.

By Rail: The distance from the Bhubaneswar railway station to Parsurameswara Temple is approximately 4.4 km and can be easily covered in approximately 12 -15  minutes by taking an auto-rickshaw or taxi service.

By Road:  Tourists can also take local buses or hire a private cab from one of Bhubaneswar’s top car rental companies to get to the Parsurameswara Temple.

Also Read – Mukteshwara Temple