Youtube Link: https://youtu.be/JZ6xKSrY7Yk
References: https://odishatour.in/siddheswar-temple-jajpur/
https://medium.com/monuments-of-odisha/siddheshwara-temple-jajpur-odisha-4bbd5feae212
Location:
“Siddheswar
Temple,Jajpur, Sidheswar, Sribachhapur, Odisha 755014”
Around 5 KMs from Jagannatha Temple, on the banks of
Baitarini river, is situated another beautiful ancient temple, Siddheshwara
temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is specially important for the
beautiful Shiva lingas all around and also a Sahastralinga stone situated at
the entrance. The temple consists of a Rekha Deula and a pidha jagamohana
within a spacious enclosure wall.
The temple is a votive temple, dedicated to 4
incarnations of Vishnu, a Shiva Linga with a star shaped yoni-pitha, are the 2
major attractions.
The temple also contains idols of Astikajaratkar,
Lakulisa, Uma-maheshvara, Mithuna affixed in the compound wall.
History:
Not much is known about the temple. According to many
scholars, the temple dates back to the 5th century CE, when the Bhauma dynasty
was ruling around Jajpur. The making of the Lord Siddhesvara linga and the
inscriptions on the temple wall and on the nearby ruins evince the popular
belief that the holy shrine was built by Shri Subhakar Dev II of Bhauma
dynasty. The adjacent village Hirapur is also believed to have been named after
Hira Devi, the queen of Sri Subhakaar Dev II. Historian Dr. Ekadashi Padhi
opine that it was Shri Narasingha Dev of Eastern Ganga Dynasty who renovated
the temple and restored it from ruins.
A living display of Hindu iconographies all round, few
scattered, few on the walls, this little known temple is a must visit for
anyone who is a Hindu temple lover.
Iconography
and Vigrahas
The particularly interesting feature of the temple
with very lesser known origin are the shiv lingas scattered on the ground.
Although the temple is dedicated to Siddheshvara (swayambhuvalinga or self
manisfested Shiva), one of the most sacred lingas, the temple hosts a number of
other idols including Astikajaratkar, Lakulisa, Uma-Maheshvara, etc along with
naga kanyas, sahasralinga, Lord Ganesha, Sun God in multiple positions, Shiva
in Natarja pose, Naga, ekapada and many many more. While in jajpur, do not miss
to plan this temple.
The
various temples around Siddheshvara Temple in Jajpur:
1) Main
Varaha Temple
2) Hara-Gouri
Temple
3) Bimala
Temple
4) Kharakhia
Varaha Temple
5) Muktesvara
Temple
6) Other
Shrines which include: a shrine to Surya-god, Kasi Biswanath Temple, Sri
Chaitanya Pada Pitha, Sunya Vedi, and temple of the goddess Chamunda.
7) Yajna
Varaha Temple
8) Biraja
Devi Shakti peetha
9) Saptamatruka
temple
10) Jagannatha
Temple and Dashashwamedha Ghat
How
to Reach:
By Road: Nearest Bus Station is Jajpur. Local
transports like Autos are available. Self-drive is the best option though. The
temple is around 6 KMs from Jajpur bus stand.
By Train: Nearest railway station is Jajpur (35 KMs
from the temple)
By Air: Bhubaneshwar is the nearest Airport (Around 108
KMs)
Parking
and Photograph:
There is no restriction whatsoever in photography. Drones
can be easily used and a beautiful view can be obtained with the Baitarani
river flowing right on the back side.
Parking is not at all an issue, there is huge open
space available. Car can be parked anywhere.
Siddheshvara
Temple Timings:
Monday to Sunday: 6 AM to 8 PM