NILAKANTHESWAR TEMPLE

Besides the central attraction of Lord Jagannath temple, Puri is also famous for various famous Shiva temples. There is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and is located in the southern bank of Indradyumna tank. This temple is known as Nilakantheswar temple. The name of the temple is also spelled as Nilakanthesvara temple, Nilkantheshwar temple and Neelakantheswar temple. It is located at the end of the road leading from Gundicha temple towards the Indradyumna tank.

Structure and Architecture

Nilakantheswar Temple consists of three structures such as Vimana, Jagamohana and Natamandapa. All the structures of the temple are built in sandstones. They are also thickly plastered with lime mortar. The Vimana of the Nilakanthesvara temple is about 17 feet from the ground of the temple. Now it is 12 feet high from the surface of the temple complex. The central niches of the three sides of the Vimana are housed with side Deities of Ganesha, Karttikeya and Shiva-Parvati. The image of Ganesha is the side Deity of the southern side. The image of Karttikeya is the side Deity of the western side. Shiva-Parvati is the side Deity of the northern side of the Vimana.

Shivalinga within Shaktipitha is worshipped in the sanctum as the presiding deity of the temple. Here Shivalinga is not visible to outwards and it is installed about one foot below the Shaktipitha of the sanctum. There is an image of Narayana kept on the back wall of the sanctum. The four handed Narayana image is carved on a single slab. He holds Chakra in upper right hand, Varada mudra in lower right hand, Conch in upper left hand and gada in left lower hand. Two female attendant figures are flanked on either side of the Deity.

The Jaghamohana of the Nilakanthesvara temple is about 15 feet from the surface of the temple complex. It is erected on the platform of one foot high. The Jagamohana has one doorway towards the Natamandapa. The figures of Nandi and Bhrungi carved on either side doorframe of the Jaghamohana. The Navagrahas are carved on the architrave above the doorway lintel.

The Natamandapa of the Nilakanthesvara temple is about 20 feet from the surface of the temple complex. The plan of the structure is rectangular and it measures approximately 30 feet in length and 20 feet in width respectively. The inner walls of the Natamandapa are finely depicted with paintings of Dasamahavidya figures such as Shyamakali, Ugratara, Sodasi, Bhubanesvari, Mahavidya, Chinnamasta, Dhumavati, Matangi, Kamala and Bagala. The western inner wall of the Natamandapa contains an image of Ganesha in its niche.

Two huge jhapa simhas are projected on both sides ground of the main gate (eastern side). They are acting as the gate keepers of the temple complex.

Legends

Samudra Manthan (churning of the ocean)

Lord Siva is known by many names and Nilakantheswar is one of them. Nilakantheswar means 'someone whose throat colour is blue'. The word 'Nilakantheswar' is derived from two words, 'Nila' and 'Kantha'. In Odia language 'Nila' means 'Blue' and 'Kantha' means 'Throat'. A famous story associated behind the name Nilakantheswar. In Hinduism, 'Samudra Manthan' (churning of the ocean) is one of the most famous episode depicted in the Puranas. During Samudra Manthan, the ocean released a number of things. One of them was the lethal poison known as 'Halahala'. Lord Shiva consumed the poison to protect the three worlds. He was suffering intense pain, but could not die, and this could not be seen by Parvati, his consort. She immediately places a hand on his throat, stopping the poison to flow any further, and by her power stopped it forever. As a result, his throat turned blue, and he was henceforth called Nilakantheswar.

Pancha Pandavas:

Nilakantheswara Temple is one of the Pancha Pandava temple of Puri. As per the legend, Pancha Pandavas (Yudhisthira, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva) at the period of exile in disguise for one year, visited this holy place and stayed one night in Puri. Here they worshipped Lord Vishnu for the safety of their journey. As a symbol of their visit, five Shiva temples were built at Puri to memorise their stay at this holy place. These famous five Shiva temples are Lokanatha, Jameswara, Kapalamochana, Markandeswara and Nilakantheswara together they are known as Pancha Pandavas or the five brothers. Nilakantheswara Temple is associated with Sahadeva, one of the brothers among the Pancha Pandavas.

Asta Shambhus:

As per Skanda Purana Purusottama Mahatmya, Puri is called as Shankha Kshetra as it is Conch shaped. Puri Jagannath Temple stands at the centre. It is surrounded and protected by eight guardian Sambhus called 'Asta Shambhus'. The eight temples are located in eight directions of Puri town and save the people of Puri from danger. Nilakantheswara is one among them. The others are Jameswara, Kapalamochana, Bilweswara, Markandeswara, Bateswara, Ishaneswara and Pataleswara.

Festivals and Rituals

Nilakantheswara Temple is associated with several festival of Jagannatha temple. Nilakantheswara Mahadeva participates in the Chandana yatra festival of Lord Jagannath.

Sitalasasthi, Maha Sivaratri, Dola Purnima and Pana Sanktranti festivals are observed in this temple. Marriage ceremony, thread ceremony, engagements etc. are also celebrated here.

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