Bhuvaneswar - Ananatha Vasudeva Mandir

The antiquit of this holy shrine takes us back to the dim past, when Lord Siva never even dreamt of descending to this part from Kasi to take permanent seat in the Lingaraj temple. According to legend, Sri Krishna in the name of Anantha Vasudeva has been dwelling since time immemorial along with his brother Balarama and Subhadra. The epithet 'Anantha' stands for primordial serpent serving Mahavishnu as couch with hoods raised to giving shade to the Lord. It also stands for eternity and so finds justification in the case of Mahavishnu, who is eternal. Here the principal icon - krishna is standing under the canopy of Anantha and it is masterly sculptured. The local tradition affirms that it was adored by Meghanath, the son of Ravana and after changing many hands it is installed here in the dateless past. The temple is situated on the bank of Bindu sarovar and its huge dimensions are the cynosure of eternal attraction. The sculptural adornments - both interior and exterior are superb and lift the visitors at first sight itself. The well built nichess are installed with a number of adorable deities. The Gajalakshmi image facing Vasudeva is a specimen of exquisite craftsmanship and it is set up in the Nata mandir. like in the Lingaraj temple, there are built small temples at the four corners of the temple. It has two entrances and are provided with flights of stone steps leading to the garbhagriha. May be due to its existence prior to Lord's Siva's entry into this holy kshetra, pilgrims are instructed to taking bath in the Bindu Sarovar and worship Vasudev first here before proceeding to Lingaraj temple, which practically eclipsed its glory. But in this sacrosanct Hari-Hara kshetra, both the divinities are existing amicably  declaring Siva-Kesava abheda. That is the glory of Bhuvaneswar.

It lies on the main road leading to Lingaraj temple in Bhuvaneswar, the metropolitan capital of Orissa, connected by every type of transport.

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