Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar, the capital of Orissa, is also popularly known as the "Temple

City of India". Being the seat of Tribhubaneswar or 'Lord Lingaraj',
Bhubaneswar is an important pilgrimage centre. Hundreds of temples dot
the landscape of the Old Town, which once had more than 2000 temples.
Bhubaneswar is the place where temple building activities of Orissan style
flowered from its very inception to its fullest culmination extending over a
period of over one thousand years.
Approach: Bhubaneswar is well connected by air, rail and road to the rest
of India.

Lord Siva Obtains Sri Bhubaneswar Dhama

From Lord Krsna
In Skanda Purana it is mentioned that. “Once in
Kasi, there was a king who was a great devotee
of Lord Siva, but his desires were unfulfilled.
That king underwent very severe penances to
conquer Krsna. He was in tapasya trying to
satisfy Lord Siva as he had that desire that he
would conquer Krsna. One cannot understand
the behavior of a vaisnava. Even the demigods
can not understand, what to speak of the human
beings. Sivaji became satisfied and pleased with
his tapasya. At that time Sivaji told him, "Alright
you go and fight against Krsna, I’m following you, I’ll support you, I’ll help
you."

So that king then started for battle and Siva with all his followers followed
behind the raja, king. Then Krsna, Vasudeva, Devaki-nandana, Son of
Devaki, could understand these things, so He released His Sudarsana
Cakra. That Sudarsana Cakra cut off the head of the king. After that
Sudarsana Cakra cut off the heads of all the Siva bhaktas in Kasi. This
Varnasi became a crematorium ground - all were dead. So Siva became
very angry and released his Pasupatastra. But what he’ll do, Pasupatastra
is no match in front of Sundarsana Cakra. It could not do anything. So at
last, Siva also became very terrified, frightened and tried to run away, but
where will He go?

Then Siva could understand except for Krsna nobody can save me now. So
He surrendered unto the lotus feet of Krsna, Govinda. He offered many
prayers. Siva says, “O Lord of my heart, I have one prayer. I am always very
puffed up. I have great false ego, but now I understand I can not leave You,
I can not stay anywhere else, please tell me where I shall stay.” This is
described in theSkanda Purana.

So Vasudeva said, "My ksetra is there, Sri Purosottama Ksetra. So in the

North of that ksetra is Ekamra Kanana. That place, Ekamra Kanana is very,
very auspicious and will give bhukti and mukti, a very beautiful place. So
you’ll stay there and you’ll be known as “Bhubaneswar.” “So I give you that
Ekamra Kanana. You go and stay there and become the guard of
that ksetra, ‘ksetra pala’."

So this is Bhubaneswar. It is also known as ‘Hemacala’ and ‘Svarnadi

Ksetra.' In this ksetra crores, crores, koti lingum crores of Sivajis are here. It
is also known as asta-tirtha, the famous eight tirthas reside here.
Bhubaneswar is superior to Varnasi and is more dear to Siva than Varnasi.

Other Glories of Bhubhaneswar -

A description of the holy place Sri Bhubaneswar is found in various
literatures including Svarnadri-mahodaya, Ekamra Purana, Skanda Purana,
and other Sanskrit Puranas. In those literatures this place is addressed by
various names such as Bhubaneswar, Ekamraka-kshetra, Hemacala, and
Svarnadri-kshetra. Being requested by some sages, Vyasa Bhagavan
revealed the glories of the rarely atttained Ekamraka-kshetra [It is said that
Srila Vyasadeva described Bhubaneswar in a literature he wrote named
Ekamra-candrika and that the Ekamra Purana mentioned above is derived
from it.]
This place has been known as Ekamraka-kshetra because long ago there
was a huge mango tree here. There are ten million siva-lingas and eight
tirthas at this place. This place is superior to Varanasi and dearer to
Sambhu, the best of the Vaishnavas. In Utkala, on the shore of the southern
ocean, there is a river named Gandhavati that flows east. This river is non-
different from the Ganges. This Brahma-kshetra, Ekamraka-tirtha, is
situated on the bank of this most sacred river. [The Gandhavati river is on
the south side of Old Bhubaneswar, and today is known as "Gangua Nala".]
This place is more pleasing than Kailash. The length and breadth of this
place are three yojanas. One yojana was filled with temples, and two miles
of this place was covered by the shade of that mango tree. Since time
immemorial at this place pious persons have taken bath, chanted mantras,
performed sacrifices, offered oblations, performed abhiseka, offered
worship, offered prayers, accepted prasadam garlands, heard the Puranas,
served the lotus feet of the Lord's devotees, and executed the nine forms of
devotional service. In the Svarnadri-mahodaya it is stated that Lord
Purushottam is the maintainer of this place. The eternal Supreme Brahman
is eternally present here in the form of Tribhuvaneswar-linga. According to
the statement, lingyate jnayate yasmat, the Supreme Brahman resides in
the midst of the demigods in the form of a linga within a mountain of gold in
the state of Utkala. It is further stated in the Svarnadri-mahodaya that since
Lord Ananta Vasudev personally protects this area with a cakra and club in
His hands He is known as the ksetra-pala, or protector of this place. Pious
activities performed without first taking darsana of Sri Ananta Vasudev yield
no results. Only those who have unflinching devotion for Lord Ananta
Vasudev are able to attain the mercy of Sri Bhubaneswar, who is very dear
to Ananta Vasudev. When Bhubaneswari Bhagavati heard from the mouth
of Sambhu the glories of Ekamraka-tirtha, which is superior to Varanasi, she
expressed a desire to visit this place. Sambhu then told Bhubaneswari,
"You first go there alone, and I will meet you there later." Having received
her husband's permission, she rode on her carrier lion and soon arrived at
Ekamraka-tirtha. When she arrived she saw that this place was more
pleasing than Kailas. She also saw a great linga emanating a white and
black effulgence. Bhubaneswari began to worship that linga with all
ingredients.

One day after Bhubaneswari had gone to another forest to pick flowers, she
returned and saw one thousand cows as white as jasmine flowers come out
of a lake and begin to lavishly bathe that great linga with milk. After
circumambulating the linga, they returned to where they had come from.
When she saw the same incident on another occasion, she took the form of
a cowherd girl and began to follow those cows. She passed fifteen years in
this way. While wandering in that forest one day, the two young demon
brothers, Kritti and Vasa, became captivated by the unprecedented beauty
of that cowherd girl and expressed to her their self-destructive, wicked
intentions. Sati immediately disappeared from the sight of the two demons
and remembered the lotus feet of Sambhu. As soon as Bhagavati
remembered Mahadev, he immediately took the form of a cowherd boy and
appeared before the cowherd-girl form of Sati. Sati in the form of a cowherd-
girl offered obeisances to Sambhu, who had taken the form of a cowherd
boy. Mahadev said, "O Sati, I understand why you remembered me. There
is no need to feel anxiety. By the will of the Supreme Lord these two
demons have expressed wicked intentions to you to invite their own
ruination. Let me explain to you their history in detail. There was once a king
named Drumila who performed many sacrifices and thereby pleased the
demigods. The demigods gave him the benediction that he would have two
sons named Kritti and Vasa, who could not be killed by any weapons. So
now, by the will of the Supreme Lord, you will have to kill those two sinful
demons." Being ordered by her husband, Sati began to wander about within
the forest in her form as a cowherd girl and within a short time she met
those two demons. To deceive them, Sati told them, "I can fulfill your
desires, but I have a condition. I will only become the wife of he who can
carry me on his shoulder." Hearing Sati's statement, the two intoxicated
brothers began to quarrel between themselves. Then Sati in her form as a
cowherd girl placed her two feet on the shoulders of the two brothers and
assumed the form of Viswambhari.-the one who has the power to carry the
heavy burden of Vishwa (Creation).
By the weight of Sati, the two demons were crushed and destroyed. This
Puranic incident concludes by describing that since that time, Sati and
Sambhu, the husband of Sati, left their golden temple in Kasi and have been
living in this Ekamraka forest.

After killing the two demons Kritti and Vasa by crushing them under her feet,
Bhubaneswari fell asleep with an intense thirst. To quench Bhubaneswari's
thirst, Mahadev pierced a mountain with the tip of his trident and created a
reservoir of water. This reservoir of water became renowned as Sankara-
vapi. Yet Bhubaneswari desired to drink water from a properly established
reservoir. Sambhu thus sent his bull-carrier to bring water from all the holy
places and to invite Brahma to both establish that reservoir and to perform a
sacrifice. Being invited by the bull-carrier, Brahma and other demigods
came to this place and offered their obeisances to Lord Bhubaneswar. The
bull then brought waters of the Mandakini and other sources from heaven,
they also brought water from Prayag, Pushkar, the Ganga, Gangadwar,
Naimisa, Prabhasa, Pitri-tirtha, Ganga-sagara-sangama, the Payosni, the
Vipasa, the Satadru, the Kaveri, the Gomati, the Krishna, the Yamuna,
Saraswati, Gandaki, Rsikulya, and Mahanadi rivers, as well as other
sources from the earth, the milk ocean and different places in Patala. When
Bhubaneswar saw all the tirthas assembled there, he took up his trident and
pierced a mountain and said, "I have decided to create a lake at this place.
All of you offer one drop of water into this lake." After the tirthas followed the
order of Sambhu, then Lord Janardan and the demigods headed by Brahma
took bath therein. Bhubaneswar and his followers also happily entered into
those waters. Bhubaneswar then said, "Now two pure reservoirs of water,
Sankara-vapi and Bindu-sarovar, have been established. If one takes bath
in Sankara-vapi, one will attain the same features as myself, and if one
takes bath in Bindu-sarovar, one will attain my abode." Thereafter the
topmost Vaishnava Sambhu offered his obeisances to Janardan and said,
"O Purushottam, please reside with Ananta on the eastern bank of this lake
and take the positions of My controller and protector of this abode." Since
then Lord Ananta Vasudev has been blessing His dear Sankar by giving him
His remnants and has been residing on the eastern bank ofBindu-sarovar
as Sambhu's controller and protector of this abode. Thus Bhubaneswar
Sambhu is worshiped by offerings of Sri Sri Ananta Vasudev's remnants.
[Bhubaneswar Sambhu is widely known today by the name "Lingaraj". Since
the time of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta, the process of offering Lingaraj, Ananta
Vasudev prasadam has been discontinued.]
In the Svarnadri-mahodaya it is stated that this Bindu-sarovar is also known
by the name Manikarni and is the essence of all tirthas. If a person takes
darsana of Sri Ananta Vasudev after taking a bath in Manikarni, he will
certainly go to Vaikunthaloka. By giving charity to brahmanas and
Vaishnavas at this place one obtains a hundred times the fruits obtained at
other holy places, and by offering oblations here to the forefathers with the
remnants of Sri Ananta Vasudev, the souls of one's forefathers obtain
inexhaustible satisfaction. Taking a bath in this Bindu-sarovar is equal to
taking a bath at all holy places. By having darsana of Sri Ananta Vasudev
after taking bath, one attains unlimited fruits. Festivals like the candana-
yatra and boat festivals of Sri Sri Ananta Vasudev and Sri Sri Madana-
mohana are held in this Bindu-sarovar.
Srimad Bhagavatam was First Spoken in Bhubaneswar by Lord Siva
At Ekamra Kanana

Lord Siva and ParvatiThe Srimad-Bhagavatam was first spoken in

Bhubaneswar, Ekamra Kanana. Lord Siva was speaking to Paravti Devi.
Lord Siva says:

aham vedmi suko vetti

vyaso vetti na vetti va
bhaktya bhagavatam grahyam
na buddhya na ca tikaya
[CC. Mad. 24.313]

“[Lord Siva said:] ‘I may know; Sukadeva Gosvami, the son of Vyasadeva,
may know; and Vyasadeva may know or may not know Srimad-
Bhagavatam. On the whole, Srimad-Bhagavatam, the spotless Purana, can
be learned only through devotional service, not by material intelligence,
speculative methods or imaginary commentaries.’”
“I know Bhagavata Sukadeva knows, I don’t know if Vyasadeva knows or
not.” Bhagavata can only be understood by bhakti.
Lord Siva was speaking Srimad-Bhagavatam before Goddess Paravati here
in Ekamra Kanana. At that time, a parrot was listening, suka means parrot.
So at first Parvati Devi was listening and was saying “Hmm. Hmm, hmm.
Then Parvati Devi fell asleep. That parrot was listening and saying “Hmm,
hmm, hmm.” So Lord Siva couldn’t understand at first that Parvati Devi had
fallen asleep then at last He noticed. So he thought who has been saying,
“Hmm, hmm, hmm.” He saw a parrot sitting there so Lord Siva ran to catch
the parrot but the parrot flew away. That suka then entered into the womb of
Srila Vyasadeva’s wife. That parrot became Srila Sukadeva Goswami. This
is how Sukadeva Goswami knows the Srimad-Bhagavatam. Bhubaneswar
is such a famous place. It is known as Bhubaneswar-dhama, Bhubaneswar-
ksetra. This is vaisnava-ksetra.
In Caitanya-Bhagavata, it is mentioned, that Mahaprabhu with His devotees
came here to Bhubaneswar. They chanted and danced before Siva in the
Bhubaneswar Lingaraja Temple. Took bath in Bindusarovar.

So following in the footsteps of Mahaprabhu all vaisnavas come and visit

Bhubaneswar Shiva and chant and dance here.

As mentioned above following are the Places to Visit -

1) Lingaraj Temple, Bhubaneswar
Lingaraj Temple, Bhubaneswar’s most well known landmark was built
in 11th century by the Somavamsi Kings. Lingaraj is the best example
of Orissa temple architecture.
The huge complex also houses the temple of Parvati and several other
structures. Photography is strictly prohibited in the complex. Non –
Hindus are not allowed inside the complex.
2) Bindu Sarovar
Considered one the most sacred pools of Orissa, the Bindu
Sarovar is also known as the Bindu Sagar. This sacred lake
contains a drop of water from each of India's holy water bodies.
The lake was created by Lord Shiva, while collecting the most
pure waters of the earth to quench the thirst of his wife, Goddess
Parvati. The lake becomes a hub of activity every year at the time
of celebration of Ashokashtami festival. During this festival, the
main deity from the Lingraja Temple is carried to the Bindu
Sarovar and given a bath as a ritual. This procession consists of a
lot of energy and enthusiasm and makes for a memorable sight.
3) Ananta Vasudev temple
Ananta Vasudeva Temple is a temple dedicated to Lord Krishna. The
temple was constructed in the thirteenth century, and the deities of
Krishna, Balarama and Subhadra are worshipped. Balarama (Ananta)
stands under a seven hooded serpent. Subhadra holds Jewels pot and
lotus in her two hands keping her left foot over another jewel pot, while
Krishna (Vasudev) holds a mace, chakra, lotus and a conch. The
temple dates back to the period of Chandrika Devi, the daughter of
Anangabhima III, during the reign of the king Bhanudeva. The western
side of the temple lies near the bank of Bindu Sagar Lake.
 4) ISKCON temple

History of ISKCON, Bhubaneswar

H.H Gaur Govind Maharaj began to preach in Bhubaneswar and
translating Srila Prabhupada’s books into Oriya. He printed a mini
magazine and went door-to-door and office-to-office, preaching and
collecting donations. Gradually some local devotees came forward to
help him. From there he began his mission to fulfill Srila Prabhupada’s
desire for a temple in Bhubaneswar. In early 1977, after bringing water
and electricity to the land, Srila Gour Govinda Swami requested Srila
Prabhupada to come to Bhubaneswar. He arranged for Srila
Prabhupada to stay comfortably in the government guesthouse, but
Prabhupada refused, saying, “I will stay only where my disciple, Gour
Govind has built a mud hut for me.” Srila Prabhupada stayed in
Bhubaneswar for seventeen days. He waited for Lord Nityananda’s
appearance day to lay the foundation stone of his last-founded project,
in Orissa. The sannyasis and devotees accompanying Srila
Prabhupada were surprised to see this jungle site. They said to
Prabhupada, “This place is an out of the way place, a mud hut in the
middle of the desert. There’s nothing here. It would be better to build
something at Puri. Why should we waste our time and money here?”
But Srila Prabhupada was adamant. “No! This place will be the heart of
the city.”
When discussing with Srila Prabhupada the details of building a temple,
Gour Govinda Swami said, “Prabhupada drove everyone out and called
me into his room. He was there and I was there, no third person was
there. No tape recording was going on. Nothing was there....calo! It is
recorded in my heart. It is my asset. In a whispering voice he told me,
“Gour Govind, they are objecting to a temple being built here. They
want it at Puri. But I said, ‘No!’ I will do it here. This will be one of the
best temples in the world, and it will be under your leadership.” At that
time he told me, “You have to stay here. You have to do it.”
Srila Prabhupada gave specific instructions to Srila Gour Govinda
Swami about the deities, their installation as well as the name of the
temple. “He told me, ‘there is Krishna Balaram Mandir in Vrindavan. All
right, do Krishna Balaram Mandir here.’ So this is Krishna Balaram
Mandir. He said there should be three altars. The presiding deities, Sri
Sri Krishna Balaram in the middle altar. Gour Nitai to Their right, and
Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra Devi Devi should be there because
this is Orissa, the land of Jagannath. Except for Jagannath, Krishna-
Balaram and Gour-Nitai will be made of brass and crafted in Orissa.”
He also predicted that Jagannath would come on his own, and that
prediction was fulfilled.
After Srila Prabhupada left this world on 14th November 1977, Srila
Gour Govinda Swami preached extensively in Orissa and traveled all
over the world. Many Western devotees came to help. Srila Gour
Govinda Swami saw the temple almost complete in 1991 after a long
15 years of struggle. It was inaugurated on Nityananda Trayodasi day,
the same auspicious occasion when in 1977 Srila Prabhupada laid the
foundation stone.
As instructed by Srila Prabhupada, Srila Gour Govinda Swami installed
Sri Gour Nitai, Sri Krishna Balaram and Sri Jagannath, Baladeva,
Subhadra Devi Devi on three altars and named the temple Sri Krishna
Balaram Temple.
 Contact Us

Sri Sri Krishna Balaram Temple

ISKCON
IRC Village
Nayapalli
Bhubaneswar
Pincode: 750015
Odisha, India
Contact No: 09853121636
Email-id: [email protected]
Website: www.iskconbhubaneswar.org

5) Kalinga War – King Ashoka

Bhubhaneshwar also is famous for historical site of battle of Kalinga

won by King Ashoka . The banks of river Daya near foothills of Dhauli
commemorate the incident.