Dhabaleswar Island Temple
ଧବଳେଶ୍ୱର ମନ୍ଦିର
Lord Shiva (Dhabaleswar - The White Lord) · Cuttack, Odisha
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About the temple
Significant Shiva shrine located on an island; attracts massive crowds during Kartika month. Cleansing of sins and fulfillment of prayers for health and longevity.
Temple information
- Darshan timings
- 05:00 – 21:00
- Established
- 14
- Best time to visit
- Winter mornings (Nov to Feb).
- Entry fee
- Free
Deity
Lord Shiva (Dhabaleswar - The White Lord) · ଧବଳେଶ୍ୱର
- Deity form
- Shiva Linga (White stone/marble appearance)
- Religious tradition
- Pancharatra influence / Shaivite
- Sanskrit name
- श्री धवलेश्वर मन्दिर
- Also known as
- Dhabaleswar Island Temple
Darshan hours
- Daily
- 05:00 - 21:00
- Break timings
- 01:00 PM - 03:00 PM
- Special days
- Open 24 hours on Bada Osha
- Festival timings
- 24-hour access during Bada Osha night.
Aarti & rituals
- Special aarti days
- Mondays and Bada Osha
- Ritual schedule
- Jalabhisheka, Alankara, Sandhya Alati
- Pooja timings
- 06:00 AM - 12:00 PM
- Abhishek timings
- Early morning
- Special poojas
- Rudrabhishek, Deepa Daana
- Online pooja booking
- No
History & heritage
- Historical period
- Medieval
- Built by
- Believed to be built by King Birat Keshari
- Construction materials
- Granite and Sandstone
- Historical events
- The island was a strategic location for the local rulers of Athagarh.
- Renovations
- The hanging bridge was recently renovated for safety in 2023-2024.
- Archaeological importance
- State Protected
- Legends
- Lord Shiva turned a black bull into a white one to protect a devotee.
- Inscriptions
- Stone inscriptions recording grants by local chiefs.
- Government recognition
- State Endowment
Architecture
- Architectural style
- Kalinga
- Architectural period
- 14th-15th Century
- Structure
- Single Shrine on Island
- Floors
- 1
- Gopuram
- Typical Vimana structure with Amalaka.
- Mandapa
- A small front porch for devotees.
- Sculptural features
- Carvings of Shiva-Parvati and Ganesha.
- Artistic elements
- Modern colorful paintings on the outer walls.
- Construction technique
- Traditional stone masonry.
- Unique features
- Access via a long suspension bridge or by boat.
Festivals & events
Bada OshaMaha ShivaratriKartika Purnima
- Festival calendar
- Lunar (Kartika month)
- Special celebration days
- All Mondays of Kartika month
- Cultural events
- Local fairs during Bada Osha.
- Annual events
- Bada Osha (November)
- Peak crowd season
- October - November (Kartika Month)
Visitor information
- ✓ Parking
- ✓ Restrooms
- ✓ Drinking water
- ✓ Shoe keeping
- ✓ Prasadam counter
- ✓ Annadanam
- Entry fee
- Free
- Dress code
- Traditional
- Best time to visit
- Winter mornings (Nov to Feb).
- Parking capacity
- 300+
- Parking fees
- ₹20 - ₹50
- Donation counters
- Yes
- Donation methods
- Cash/UPI
- Prasadam
- Gaja Bhoga (Sweet offering), Rice, Dal
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