Shaivism as a religion has a continuous history of at least four thousand years. It is well admitted that at one time it was the dominant religion that influenced the culture and civilisation of India. Since pre-historic times, it is believed that Shaivism fostered a tradition of art in accordance of which the temples and images were built and made. Though it is not known when Shaivism had come to India yet there are enough evidences to prove its existences from the 4th century A.D.

Satru Bhanja, a king of Bhanja dynasty had built temples for Lord Shiva. The image which is present in the temple is of a dancing Shiva in a nude Urdhalinga form with eight forms. In the uppermost two hands a serpent is held and two other hands are engaged in playing a Veena, one holds a Trisula, one an akshya mala, one a damaru and one is in stretched position in Pataka hasta suggesting release.

During the 6th and 7th centuries while the Bhanja kings were ruling in the high lands of Orissa the Sailodbhava dynasty rose to power in Kangoda Mandala. The rule of this dynasty beginning from 570 AD continued up to 675 AD for over a period of hundred years. This period is marked as an important one in the history of religious movement in Orissa. Though the Sailodbhava rulers were staunch Shaivites, most of them performed Aswamedha and other sacrifices out of their respect for the Vedic religion. Shiva has been held up as the highest God in all opening lines of all the inscriptions of this dynasty.

The sculptures of the earlier Shiva temples built during the rule of the Sailodbhava dynasty testify the spread of Lakuli sect. The images of Lakuli find a prominent place in the front facades of the temples. In the sculptures Lakuli appears alone or with two or four of his disciples seated on the lotuses rising from a common lotus forming the pedestal of their master.

In the Shaiva form of dance the devotee is enjoined to dance and sing standing to the south of the image with face turned towards the north. He is also enjoined to act as a lover at a public place.

The early temples of Bhubaneshwar closely reflect the Shaiva form of dance and art. Four early Shiva temples of Bhubaneshwar are namely Bharateshwar, Laxamaneswar, Satrugheneswar and Parasurameswar. All these temples are ascribed to the 6th and 7th century AD. These temples were built by the Sailodbhava rulers. Besides the Nataraja images there are also appearances of dancing girls in a number of superb panels of the highest workmanship are evidently the sculptural equivalents of the greatest phases of dancing of that time.

Another important piece of sculpture giving the prevalence of the predominant dance form in Orissa has been depicted in the Kapileswara Temple at Bhubaneshwar.

The ornaments that are generally found in the dancing poses of the figures that are depicted in the early temples of Bhubaneshwar are a huge ring in one ear, the other being empty. At the neck there is a single beaded necklace. At the waist there is an Udara Bandha which has a rather ornamental look. The ankles of the dancers are generally free and unbedecked. Over the arms there are both armlets and wrist-lets. Both of them are rather broad for their kind.

Other important aspects which are found in the early temples of Orissa are a number of female figures in elaborate dancing attitudes. In fact some of the dancing figures portray the basic stances of Oddissi dance, the Chauka and the Tribhanga. It can be said that the early temples of Orissa are by far the most decorated monuments of the state.

Besides the innumerable cult images, depicting stories in stone was a special feature of the art of this period. Incidents from Shiva`s life, from the Ramayana and Mahabharata find elaborate representation in the base relief`s of the temples. Among other incidents, mention may be made of an elaborate procession of Shiva`s marriage, Parvati`s penance in water and Shiva`s receiving alms from Annapurna. All these scenes are found in the Parasurameswara Temple and the Bharateswara Temple. In the ruined temple of Swarnajaleshwara incidents depicted are the killing of a golden deer by Lord Rama, Bali-badha and the fight between Kirata and Arjuna.

Finally it can be concluded saying that Shaivism one of the oldest religious form of Orissa had a strong influence on Odissi dance and the fact becomes clear from the various dancing poses that are found in the early temples of the state. The dancing poses of the temples have a close resemblance with the poses of Odissi dance.