Byamokesvara Temple, Hindu temple in Tala Bazaar, Old Town of Bhubaneswar, India.
The Byamokesvara Temple is a Hindu temple featuring a pancharatha layout built from grey sandstone. The structure consists of a central sanctum surrounded by pairs of smaller towers and chamber sections arranged in a traditional architectural design.
The temple was built in the 10th century and became buried beneath ground level for many years. It was later excavated and restored to its current condition.
The temple serves as a gathering place during festivals like Maha Shivratri and Sankranti, where the local community performs traditional Hindu rituals and ceremonies. These celebrations form an important part of religious life in the Old Town and draw worshippers from across the neighborhood.
To reach the sanctum, visitors must descend five flights of steps as it sits about 1.50 meters (5 feet) below the current road level. The sunken location requires some effort to access but is manageable for most people.
The temple displays the river goddesses Ganga and Yamuna above the doorjamb rather than at its base, which sets it apart from other temples in the city. This placement differs noticeably from how these deities appear in other local sanctuaries.
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