YUDHISTHIRA
TEMPLE,
BHUBANESWA
R
YUDHISTHIRA TEMPLE
The Yudhisthira Temple, also known as the
Dharmaraja Temple, is a Hindu temple located Figu
on the Mahendragiri Hill in the Gajapati
district of Odisha, India. The temple is
dedicated to Lord Shiva, who is also known as
Dharmaraja or Yudhisthira, the eldest of the
five Pandava brothers from the Hindu epic
Mahabharata.
The temple is believed to have been built by
the Pandavas themselves during their exile
from Hastinapura. The temple is constructed
using huge-sized stone blocks and features a
simple yet elegant architectural style. Inside
the temple, there is a Shiva Lingam and the
feet of gods. The temple is surrounded by lush
greenery and offers panoramic views of the
surrounding hills and valleys. The temple is associated with the Pandava
brothers of the Mahabharata. According to
The Yudhisthira Temple is a popular legend, Yudhisthira, the eldest Pandava
pilgrimage destination for Hindus from all brother, built the temple after he was crowned
over is Shivaratri, which is dedicated to Lord king. The temple is also said to be the site
Shiva. During the festival, thousands of where Yudhisthira performed penance to atone
pilgrims gather at the temple to offer prayers for his sins. The temple is a popular pilgrimage
and participate in various religious destination for Hindus. It is particularly
ceremonies. The Yudhisthira Temple is also a crowded during the Shivaratri festival, which
significant historical landmark. An inscription is celebrated in honor of Lord Shiva.
of the Chola king Rajendra Chola is found on
the lintel of the temple door, providing There is no proper road to the temple. All the
historical context related to the region. The people should walk up to 3 to 4kms to visit the
inscription dates back to the 11th century AD temple up the mountain. there are a total of 4
and mentions the king's conquest of Odisha. temples on the mountain. The temple is
famous for its view and the Shivalinga. The
The Yudhisthira Temple is a place of great temple is a single rockcut structure. The details
spiritual and historical significance. It is a and the art on the walls are so attractive in its
place where pilgrims can connect with their
faith and learn about the rich history of the
region. The temple's serene atmosphere and
beautiful surroundings make it a popular
destination for both religious and non-religious
visitors alike. Yudhisthir Temple Mahendragiri
is located in Mahendra Giri, Madaba, Odisha
761212, India.
The temple is believed to have been built in
the 10th or 11th century CE. It is constructed
using large stone blocks and has a triratha
(three-part) style of architecture. The temple
has a simple structure with no decorative
elements.
design.
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The temple is believed to have been The temple is a popular pilgrimage destination
for Hindus from all over India. It is also a
The temple is constructed by popular tourist destination, known for its
8TH the Chalukya dynasty.
CEN beautiful architecture and scenic surroundings.
TUR
Y Mahendragiri Hills, where the temple is
AD located, is associated with mythological stories
The temple is captured by the from the Ramayana, known as Mahendra
12T
H Kakatiya dynasty. Parvata (Mountain). The legend states that
CEN Lord Parashurama, a Chiranjeevi (immortal
TUR being), resides eternally on this mountain and
Y performs Tapasya (austerities).
AD
14T The temple is captured by the The temple is one single deula of tri-ratha type
H Vijayanagara Empire. rises abruptly from the ground and has a
CEN tapering projection. The bada portion is
TUR
Y straight and is adorned with an amalaka with
AD an ayudha. The temple has no deities and a
16T The temple is captured by the frontal opening is there. The opening faces to
H Qutb Shahi dynasty. south and approximately six feet in height.
CEN Four chaitya arches adorn from four sides of
TUR
Y the sikhara. There is a boundary wall made of
AD huge rectangular pieces of stone. The temple is
18T The temple is captured by the fully restored and conserved. The temple may
H Nizam of Hyderabad. be compared with Satrughanesvara group of
CEN temples of Bhubaneswar dated to last part of
TUR
Y 6th century or early part of 7th century CE.
AD The temple is liberated from
the Nizam of Hyderabad and
1948 becomes part of India.
AD
constructed in the 8th century AD by the
Chalukya dynasty. It is built in the Dravidian
style of architecture and is made of granite.
The temple has a single sanctum sanatorium
and a pillared mandapa. The sanctum Figure 3 the temple with its surroundings
sanatorium houses a black granite idol of Lord
Yudhisthira, which is about 3 feet tall. The
temple walls are adorned with sculptures of
various Hindu deities. The Yudhisthira Temple, This temple is also a proto type of Somesvara
Mahendragiri is one of the 18 Shakti Peethas, and Madhukesvara temples of Kalinganagar or
which are believed to be the places where the Mukhalingam but without artistic
body parts of Sati, the consort of Lord Shiva, representation. A number of architectural
fell when she was cut into pieces by her father pieces and stone blocks are found scattered
Daksha. The left toe of Sati is said to have around the temple. This temple perhaps was
fallen at Mahendragiri. re-built from the original shattered one. The
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front door lintel contains an inscription of the transition from the mundane to the sacred
Chola king Rajendra Chola. realm. The gopura is adorned with sculptures
of deities, mythical creatures, and scenes from
The Lintel of the front door contains an
Hindu mythology.
inscription of the Chola Emperor Rajendra
Chola. The Mahendragiri Tamil inscription, walls, The temple walls are not just structural
which bears the Chola insignia of the tiger and elements; they serve as canvases for exquisite
the two fish and records the defeat of the carvings. Depictions of various Hindu deities,
Kuluta chief Vimaladitya by a General of mythological stories, and scenes from epics
Emperor Rajendra Chola I, must be referred to like the Mahabharata adorn the temple walls,
this campaign of the king. Kuluta was creating a visual narrative of Hindu faith and
mentioned as a country in the North-Eastern traditions.
division of India according to the
Sculptures, The temple complex is a treasure
topographical list of the Brihatsamhita. The
trove of sculptures, ranging from life-size
temple is constructed using huge-sized stone
figures of deities to intricate carvings of
blocks. Inside the temple, there is a Shiva
animals, mythical creatures, and floral motifs.
Lingam and the feet of gods. The temple is
These sculptures not only enhance the temple's
primarily made of stone, including the entire
aesthetic appeal but also convey symbolic
structure. A Nandi (the sacred bull and mount
meanings and teachings.
of Lord Shiva) is placed outside the
temple.The plan of the temple is in a simple
shape of rectangle the temple has the main part
Garbhagriha is the only space in this temple.
the area is also small. the temple goes down
under the ground at a level of 2m from the
ground level. Here are some the elements:
Sanctum Sanctorum, The innermost sanctum
sanctorum, or the garbhagriha, is a square
Figure 4 Sancturm
chamber located at the center of the temple. It
houses the black granite idol of Lord
Yudhisthira, measuring about 3 feet in height.
The sanctum's entrance is adorned with
intricate carvings of auspicious motifs and
guardian deities.
Mandapa,The pillared mandapa, known as the
ardhamandapa, serves as an antechamber to
the sanctum sanctorum. It's a rectangular Figure 5 Mandapa
structure supported by four rows of slender
pillars, creating a spacious and well-lit space
Figure 6 Vimana
for devotees to gather and perform rituals.
Vimana, The towering vimana, or the shikhara,
is the temple's most prominent architectural
feature. It rises majestically above the sanctum
Figure 7 Gopura
sanctorum, tapering towards a finial at the top.
The vimana's tiers are adorned with intricate
carvings of celestial beings, mythical
creatures, and geometric patterns.
Gopura,The temple's entrance, known as the
gopura, is a gateway structure that marks the
Figure 8 Sculptures
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Figure 9 Walls
Maha Shivaratri,This festival is celebrated on seeking spiritual enlightenment and liberation.
the 14th night of the dark fortnight of the The temple's festivals, such as the Yudhisthira
Hindu month of Magha. It is believed that on Puja, bring together devotees from across the
this night, Lord Shiva performed the tandava region, fostering a sense of community and
dance. cultural vibrancy. In conclusion, the
Yudhisthira Temple stands as a testament to
Kartika Purnima,This festival is celebrated on
Odisha's rich cultural heritage and continues to
the full moon day of the Hindu month of
hold immense spiritual significance for Hindus
Kartika. It is believed that Lord Shiva
appeared before his devotees on this day.
Makar Sankranti,This festival is celebrated on
the day when the sun enters the zodiac sign of
Capricorn. It is believed that on this day, Lord
Shiva takes a dip in the holy waters of the
Mahendragiri.
By Road,The Yudhisthira Temple is located in
Mahendragiri, a hill station in the Ganjam
district of Odisha. The nearest major city is Figure 10 Temple and its surroundings
Berhampur, which is about 100 kilometers across India.
away. There are regular bus services from
Berhampur to Mahendragiri. The journey takes
about two hours. By Rail,The nearest railway
station to Mahendragiri is Berhampur. There
are regular trains from major cities in India to
Berhampur. From Berhampur, you can take a
bus or taxi to Mahendragiri. By Air,The
nearest airport to Mahendragiri is the Biju
Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar.
There are regular flights from major cities in
India to Bhubaneswar. From Bhubaneswar,
you can take a taxi or bus to Berhampur. From
Berhampur, you can take a bus or taxi to
Mahendragiri. By Foot,The Yudhisthira
Temple is located on the top of Mahendragiri
Hill. If you are a trekking enthusiast, you can
trek to the top of the hill. The trek takes about
four hours from the base of the hill
The Yudhisthira Temple, Mahendragiri is a
significant religious and cultural site in
Odisha, India. It is an ancient Hindu temple
dedicated to the Pandava king Yudhisthira and
is believed to have been built in the 12th
century by the Eastern Ganga dynasty.
The temple's architecture, which reflects the
Kalinga style, showcases its historical and
architectural importance. The temple's
association with the legendary Yudhisthira
B. STALIN JOSEPH
adds to its mythological significance, making
it a popular pilgrimage destination for Hindus 20111AR0040
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