Dhabaleswar

Dhabaleswar is a Hindu temple on a small island in the Mahanadi River in Odisha dedicated to Lord Shiva. The complex displays typical Kalinga architectural features with carved stone walls and a pyramidal roof over the main shrine.

The complex originated during the medieval rule of the Kalinga dynasty as a place of worship for Shiva. Over the centuries, several rulers carried out expansions and restorations that preserved the original design concept.

Pilgrims reach the shrine by crossing a suspension bridge over the Mahanadi River that leads directly to the temple island. Vendors along the banks sell flower garlands and incense sticks while devotees perform ritual bathing in the river before entering.

The temple opens daily from sunrise to sunset and provides simple accommodation for visitors traveling from afar. The suspension bridge to the island may be inaccessible during high water, so checking current conditions before arrival is advisable.

The island sits in the middle of the river course and becomes partially flooded during monsoon season, making the temple temporarily unreachable from land. During this period, access becomes significantly limited, which gives the place a special sense of isolation.