Kedareswar Temple, Bhubaneswar

One of the eight Astasambhu temples, Kedareswar Temple is the main shrine of the Kedara-Gouri precinct in Bhubaneswar, about 40 m south of the Mukteswar Temple, on the right of the road to Puri. It faces south and is dedicated to Shiva; the linga is missing, leaving only a round sandstone yonipitha in a sanctum set below today's ground level. A Gouri temple stands just to the south and the Kedara kunda, a pond, lies immediately to the east.

Legend tells of Kedar and Gouri, lovers who fled their village when their marriage was opposed. Kedar was killed by a tiger while fetching food, and Gouri threw herself into the pond; King Lalatendu Keshari of Utkal then built the temple. Couples still pray here for a marriage free of obstacles, and the pond's water is said to have healing qualities. The pancharatha rekha vimana rises 13.5 m, its walls rich in sculpture, with a pidha-roofed jagamohana in front.