Bhringeswara Shiva Temple

Dating from the 8th century, the Bhringeswara Shiva Temple stands in Khatuapada village on the south-eastern outskirts of Bhubaneswar, at the foot of Dhauli hill on the left bank of the Daya River. Built of light grey sandstone, it faces west and has been rebuilt from base to top using its original stones. Odisha State Archaeology protects it, and the village still uses it for Shivratri, Kartik Purnima and Raja Sankranti, as well as weddings and thread ceremonies.

The pancharatha rekha tower, about 11 metres tall, stands on a high platform and is mostly plain. Its side niches hold a standing Ganesha and an unusual four-armed Mahisasuramardini trampling the buffalo-headed demon, an image with archaic early features. The doorway is flanked by Shaivite guardians and by the river goddesses Ganga on her makara and Yamuna on her tortoise, and the lintel shows the nine planets seated cross-legged.