Lingaraj Temple

Lingaraj Temple is the largest Hindu temple in Orissa.

The temple was built in the XI century, during the construction used parts of older temples. The height of the central tower is fifty-five meters. The main feature of the Orisian school of architecture, which dominated Northern India in the Middle Ages, is the finest stone carving that adorns the temple.

Due to the fact that the penetration of Buddhism began from Orissa, in the architecture of the temple we can find features of Buddhist culture. For example, one part of the decoration of the temple are statues of lions.

Lingaraj is crowned with two flags, which emphasizes the duality of Buddhism and Jainism.