4. Panchalingeshwar Temple (Odia: ପଞ୍ଚଲିଙ୍ଗେଶ୍ଵର) is
in Balasore district of Odisha. It named after the
five Shivalinga that are enshrined inside. The temple is
on top of a hillock near the Nilagiri hill (not to be confused
with that of Western Ghats).
The Shivalingas are said to have been enshrined by Sita
, the wife of Lord Rama during their exile. Another story
holds that King Banasura worshiped the Swayambhu
Lingas at this place given its beauty. A perennial stream,
which is the main attraction of the area, regularly washes
the Shivalingas as it flows over them. To reach to the
temple one has to lie flat on the rock parallel to the
stream to touch and worship the lingas inside the water
stream.
5. ancient Shiva Lingas enshrined here at Panchalingeswar
Temple. Perched atop of a hillock in Nilagiri Hill in the
Balasore district, Odisha, Panchalingeswar Temple is a
Lord Shiva’s temple which is named after the five lingas
of Shiva that are installed inside this shrine. On reaching
the top of the hillock, one has to bend down in order to
look for the lingas inside a pool created by the waterfall.
These lingas are continuously washed by the water of a
perennial stream that flows over them. However, in order
to touch the Shiva Lingas and worship them, one has to
lie on his chest over the rock parallel to the stream. In the
whole region, the temple holds an ethereal significance in
the hearts of devotees that makes it one of the most
prominent pilgrimage site in the district.
6. Not just for devotees, the place is also a great
sightseeing choice for nature lovers. Since it is
located on a hilltop thus it makes a surreal
surrounding for the visitors to relish in. From the
temple, one can also adore the stunning sights of
the small tribal villages and hamlets of the region.
Being a popular pilgrimage site lies amidst a scenic
setting, Panchalingeswar Temple is one of the
sought-after tourist spots in Odisha that lures
oodles of travelers from different quarters.
7.
8. Panchalingeswar comes under Balasore district.
Balasore is also the nearest city from Panchalingeswar.
The nearest NAC to Panchalingeshwar is Nilagiri.
Regular bus services are there from Bhubaneswar to
both Nilagiri and Balasore. A visitor can come to Balasore
through Bhubaneswar Airport (200 km) or Kolkata Airport
(250 km). There are regular transportation facilities
between Panchalingeswar and Balasore.
9. HISTORY OF
PACHALINGESWAR TEMPLE
The history of the construction of this temple is still
a mystery. However, it was discovered by the King
Krishna Chandra Mardaraj Harichandan, son of the
King Gobinda Chandra Mardaraj Harichandan. The
king came to this place in search of the five lingas
which were described by Lord Shiva in his
consort’s, Queen Arnapurna Devi.
10. Apart from this story, there are two legends associated
with the shrine. One says that these Shiva Lingas were
enshrined by Goddess Sita, the wife of Lord Rama,
during the period their exile. While the other one goes
like that a great devotee of Lord Shiva and a powerful
demon - King Banasura installed the five lingas here to
worship Lord Shiva. These five lingas are the prominent
attractions of this Lord Shiva’s temple in Odisha.
