Dhabaleswar Temple

Getting there

• By air

  The nearest airport is Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar.

• By train

  Kataka Railway Station is 20 km away, so the station is the nearest rail stop.

• By road

  By road the temple is 20 km from Kataka and 45 km from Bhubaneswar.

On the way

• Mancheswar is the main way to reach the temple.
• A foot hanging bridge links Mancheswar with the island.
• It is Odisha's first ever foot hanging bridge, linking the exotic island with Mancheswar.

Elderly visitors

• By bus via Chowdwar, Nuapatana and Mancheshwar.
• By suspension bridge or boat across to the island.

Why devotees come here

Dhabaleswar Temple is one of Odisha's most revered shrines of Shiva. It stands on a riverine island in the Mahanadi, near Cuttack city, and a legend about a black calf is tied to its name.

Dhabaleswar Temple is one of Odisha's most revered shrines of Shiva, and it sits on an island in the Mahanadi river. Legend says a thief once stole a black calf from a village and fled into a Shiva temple. Shiva is believed to have turned the calf white to save a repentant thief. The act is said to have given Shiva the name Dhabaleswara.

The temple structure was built during the rule of the Somavamshi dynasty. Later, the rulers of the Athgarh State renovated and repaired the present temple. Its stone carvings date back to the early 10th and 11th centuries. The island is reached by a suspension bridge or by boat.

Festivals mark the year here. The Bada-osha fair is held in Kartika month, and Shivaratri is celebrated with special functions. Purnima days in Pausha, Dola and Kartika also have special functions.

Festivals

• Chaturdashi of Kartika month, Shukla pakshaBada-osha

  A big fair held at the temple on this day.

• Shivaratri, Pausha purnima, Dola purnima and Kartika purnimaShivaratri and purnima festivals

  Celebrated here with special functions.

Tips for your visit

• Visitors can use the foot bridge to the island on paying a nominal fee.
• The temple can be reached by bus via Chowdwar, Nuapatana and Mancheshwar.

Questions people ask