Lingaraj Temple
The Great Tower of the Temple City
Overview
The Lingaraj Temple is an 11th-century Hindu temple in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India, dedicated to Shiva as Harihara, a fusion of Shiva and Vishnu. Built in the classic Kalinga style, its towering sandstone deul rises around 55 metres and dominates the old temple city, one of the largest and best-preserved of Bhubaneswar's medieval temples. The inner complex is open to Hindus only; other visitors view it from a raised platform outside the boundary wall built during the colonial era. MyTripMyTravel arranges an escorted visit with this access clearly explained in advance.
The Lingaraj Temple is the summit of Kalinga architecture and the single most important monument of Bhubaneswar, the city once said to hold hundreds of temples. Its great curvilinear tower rises above the old town as a landmark visible for miles, the culmination of centuries of Odishan temple-building.
The deity here is Harihara, Shiva and Vishnu combined, which reflects the temple's role as a meeting point of the region's major traditions. The complex is a whole walled compound of subsidiary shrines around the main tower, richly carved with the sculptural vocabulary that Odisha perfected.
An honest note shapes how we plan it: the inner temple is open to Hindus only. Other guests view the complex from a raised platform outside the northern wall, originally built in the colonial period for exactly this purpose. MyTripMyTravel makes this clear beforehand so the visit is understood and never awkward.
At a glance
Lingaraj Temple in brief
What to see
Highlights
The main deul
The towering ~55 m curvilinear spire, one of the finest expressions of Kalinga temple architecture.
Jagamohana assembly hall
The pyramidal-roofed audience hall fronting the sanctum, in the classic Odishan sequence.
The walled compound
A dense cluster of subsidiary shrines around the main tower within the boundary wall.
Sculptural carving
Bands of deities, dancers, and floral motifs covering the sandstone exterior.
The viewing platform
The raised colonial-era vantage point that lets non-Hindu guests see the complex over the wall.
Visitor information
Our tips
Understand the access rule in advance, non-Hindu guests view from the outer platform, and we explain this clearly beforehand.
Leave phones and leather items with our escort; the inner complex has strict rules.
Pair it with the nearby Mukteshwar and Rajarani temples for the full Bhubaneswar temple story.
Decline unofficial 'priests' seeking donations at the gate; our escort manages this.
Good to know
Lingaraj Temple, your questions
Can non-Hindus enter the Lingaraj Temple?
No, the inner complex is open to Hindus only. Other visitors view it from a raised platform outside the northern wall, built in the colonial era for this purpose. We explain the arrangement before you arrive.
Which god is the Lingaraj Temple dedicated to?
Shiva in the form of Harihara, a fusion of Shiva and Vishnu, reflecting the temple's role as a meeting point of traditions.
How tall is the temple?
The main tower (deul) rises around 55 metres, making it one of the tallest and most imposing temples in Bhubaneswar.
How long does a visit take?
About 45 to 60 minutes, whether viewing from the platform or, for Hindu guests, entering the complex.
More in Bhubaneswar
Visit with us
See Lingaraj Temple, properly.
A private, chauffeured visit with a licensed expert guide, timed for the best light and the smallest crowds. We fold Lingaraj Temple into a wider Bhubaneswar and East India itinerary, built entirely around you.
- Skip the queue where possible, at the right hour
- Licensed local guide who brings the story to life
- Private car and chauffeur, door to door
Plan your trip
Plan a visit to Lingaraj Temple
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