 Bata Mahadeva temple also known as Muktesvara Shiva temple is located in Bhubaneswar in the Indian state of Orissa. The temple dedicated to Lord Shiva (Shivalingam with a circular yoni pitha made of sandstone) is one of the oldest shrines of the city. It is situated in the heart of the Bindusagar road that leads from Kedargouri Lane to Lingaraja Temple. As the temple stands strong carved out of made of stone it is the devotees who swarm the premises with abundance of life: spiritual and divine.
Construction of Bata Mahadeva Temple Local legend narrates interesting anecdotes of Lord Shiva who is said to have paid a visit in Ekamra Nagari. He took rest in this place. The temple is known as Bata Mahadeva as it is located in the centre of the road. The maintenance of the temple is looked after by the Lingaraja temple administration. The temple is thought to have been constructed between 15th century -16th century C.E. It houses a Shivalingam with a circular yoni pitha made of sandstone. Bata Mahadeva Temple has a square sanctum that measures 1.95 square metres. It is pancharatha in design and is separated by a central ratha. Kanika pagas and a pair of anuratha paga can be seen on either side of the ratha. The vimana on elevation is of pidha style having a noticeable height of 1.95 metres. The temple is adorned with bada, gandi and mastaka from its lower to the upper level. The Bada is 1.05 metres in height and has no mouldings. The Gandi having two receding tiers measure 1.30 metres in height while the Mastaka measures 0.60 metres. The doorjamb of the temple is 0.82 metres tall and 0.53 metres wide. The temple once a cynosure of eyes, has withstood the threats of climatic changes and time and has undergone several repair and renovation work. However, the wall of the gandi in the west is partly broken. During the renovation work marbles and lime wash have been chiefly used. Bata Mahadeva Temple, being located in the centre, is surrounded by road in all its sides. The Ananta Vasudeva temple is located on its eastern side at a distance of 15 metres, Bindusagar in the western side is at a distance of 10 metres and the Lingaraja temple on the southern side is at a distance of 100 metres. Devotees flock the temple to offer worship at the feet of the lord and receive his blessings. The temple organises the ritual of offering pinda to the ancestors. (Last Updated on : 09-07-2014) |
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