The largest temple in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, is a 1000-year-old Shiva temple adorned with a pinak (Shiva's bow) instead of the usual trishool on its pinnacle - the Lingaraj Temple, whose presiding deity is considered to be both Shiva and Vishnu. Built in the 11th century by King Jajati Keshari, portions of the temple are believed to date back to the 6th century.
The original site was called Ekamra-kshetra, "the region of one mango tree", denoting the sacred tree under which Lord Shiva meditated after leaving Varanasi. The name Lingaraj derives from 'linga' (symbol of Shiva) and 'raj' (king) - the king of lingas. The temple is built on the banks of Bindusagar Lake, believed to have been created by Shiva to quench Devi Parvati's thirst after she slayed two demons.
The shrine houses a self-manifested swayambhu linga worshipped as both Shiva and Vishnu, which is why the temple is also called the Hari-Hara Temple. The complex sprawls across a vast area with nearly 150 shrines, the second largest dedicated to Devi Parvati, alongside idols of Ganesha and Kartikeya.
Major festivals include Mahashivaratri, the most important; Chandan Yatra, a 21-day festival where deity idols are taken on boat processions across Bindusagar Lake and smeared with sandalwood paste; and Ashokashtami, the annual chariot festival where Lingaraj's idol is carried to the Mausi Maa Temple over four days. The temple's centuries of construction have blended Kalinga architecture with diverse influences, making it a unique symbol of the union between Shaivite and Vaishnavite devotion.