Astashambhu Temple — Attraction in Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation

In the Uttaresvara Siva Temple precinct there are eight temples of identical size and dimension locally known as Astasambhu. Ashta means eight and Sambhu refers to another name of Lord Shiva . Five of them are arranged in one alignment are also known as Panchu Pandava. The temple is under the private ownership and is maintained by the Ratnakara Gargabatu and family. According to architectural features like bada division and pabhaga mouldings, this temple was built around 10th Century A.D. This is a building made up of stones and its typology is Rekha Deul . The temple is surrounded by Godavari tank in the east, Uttaresvara Siva Temple compound wall in west, and Bindusagar tank in south beyond the compound wall. The temple has an east facing shrine. [citation needed ] Architecture The temple has a square vimanam(shrine) measuring 2.45 metres with a frontal porch of 0.53 metres. Its pancharatha (five chariots) as distinguished by a central raha and a pair of 'anuratha and kanika pagas on either sides of the raha . On elevation, he vimana is of rekha order that measures 5.72 metres in height from pabhaga to kalasa. From bottom to the top the temple has a bada , gandi and mastaka . With three fold divisions of the bada the temple has a trianga bada measuring 1.72 metres. At the bottom the pabhaga has four base mouldings of khura, kumha , pata, basanta that measures 0.47 metres. Jangha measures 0.90 metres and baranda measuring 0.35 metres thick has three mouldings. The gandi measuring 3.00 metres in height is devoid of any decoration and mastaka measures 1.00 metres with components like beki , amlaka , khapuri and kalasa . The parsvadevata niches are located on the raha paga of the jangha on the three sides of north, west and south measuring 0.50 metres x 0.32 metres and with a depth of 0.20 metres. Except the southern niche the rest two are empty. The niches are decorated with talagarbhika and urdhagarbhika of khakhara order. The southern niche houses a four armed Ganesha holding a parasu in his lower left, a rosary with varadamudra pose in lower right hand. His upper hands are broken. The deity is flanked on the top by two flying vidyadharas holding garlands in their hands. This temple is made up of coarse grey sand stone, construction technique is dry masonry type and construction type is Kalingan.[citation needed ] Decorative features The doorjamb is decorated with three vertical bands and measures 1.20 metres in height x 0.84 metres in width. At the base of the doorjamb there are dvarapala niches on either side measuring 0.28 metres in height x 0.12 metres in width and houses the Saivite dvarapala’s holding trident. At the lalatabimba there is a Gajalaxmi holding a lotus in her left hand and right hand is in Varada mudra. The architrave above the doorjamb carved with the traditional Navagrahas flanked by two atlantid ganas on...

The Asta Sambhu Temple in Bhubaneswar is a lesser-known yet spiritually significant set of eight Shiva temples scattered across the city, each with its own historical and religious importance. These temples are deeply connected to Odisha’s rich Shaivite tradition and reflect the architectural brilliance of the Kalinga style.

Architecture & Design

The temples follow the traditional rekha deula style, featuring intricately carved stone structures with exquisite sculptures of deities, celestial beings, and mythological scenes. The craftsmanship is remarkable, showcasing Odisha’s ancient stone-carving techniques. Despite centuries of existence, many of the temples have retained their original grandeur, though some have undergone restoration.

Religious Importance

Each of the eight temples—such as Markandeswara, Talesvara, and Bharateswara—represents a unique form of Lord Shiva. Devotees believe that visiting all eight temples brings immense spiritual merit and blessings. These temples are particularly vibrant during Mahashivaratri, when devotees throng the premises to offer prayers.

Location & Atmosphere

The Asta Sambhu temples are located in different parts of Bhubaneswar, adding to the city’s reputation as the "Temple City of India." Unlike some of the more crowded religious sites, these temples offer a peaceful ambiance, perfect for meditation and introspection.

Final Thoughts

If you are a devotee of Lord Shiva or an admirer of ancient temple architecture, the Asta Sambhu temples are worth exploring. They provide a serene and spiritually uplifting experience, away from the commercial hustle of larger pilgrimage sites. Visiting them allows you to witness the depth of Odisha’s religious heritage while enjoying a tranquil and...

Astasambhu Siva Temples is a collection of 8 Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Siva located in Bhubaneswar, the capital of Orissa, India.In the Uttaresvara Siva Temple precinct there are eight temples of identical size and dimension locally known as Astasambhu. Ashta means eight and Sambhu refers to another name of Lord Shiva. Five of them are arranged in one alignment are also known as Panchu Pandava. The temple is under the private ownership and is maintained by the Ratnakara Gargabatu and family. According to architectural features like bada division and pabhaga mouldings, this temple was built around 10th Century A.D. This is a building made up of stones and its typology is Rekha Deul. The temple is surrounded by Godavari tank in the east, Uttaresvara Siva Temple compound wall in west, and Bindusagar tank in south beyond the compound wall. The temple has an east facing...