Srimukhalingam temple

Srimukhalingam temple

Srimukhalingam temple

#GS-01 Indian Heritage and Culture

For Prelims

Srimukhalingam:

  • Srimukhalingam also known as Kalinganagara was the capital of the Eastern Ganga dynasty and is located on the banks of River Vamsadhara.
  • It is home to a group of three Siva temples viz, Madhukeswara, Someswara, Bhimeswara, which are dated from late eighth century to early eleventh century CE.
  • The main temple of Srimukhalingam is believed to have been built by Eastern Ganga Dynasty King Kamaranava deva II.

Eastern Ganga Dynasty:

  • Eastern Ganga Dynasty also known as Chodagangas ruled Kalinga (consisting of present-day Odisha, parts of West Bengal, Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh) from the 11th – 15th century.
  • As per Jirjingi Copper Plate Grant, Indravarman I is earliest known independent king of the dynasty.
  • However, Anantavarman Chodaganga is known as the founder of the dynasty.

Famous Rulers of Eastern Ganga Dynasty:

Anantavarman Chodaganga:
  • He was given the title Trikalingadhipathi (the ruler of three Kalingas) in 1076 CE due to having control over the three Kalingas i.e., Utkal (north), Kosal (west) and Kalinga proper (south).
  • He is also remembered for having built the famous Jagannath Temple of Puri in Odisha.
  • Narsimhadeva:
  • He is famous for having built the Sun Temple at Konark which is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Bhanudeva IV (1414-1434 CE) was the last king of the Dynasty and the region was taken over by Chalukyas of Vengi.

Source “Srimukhalingam temple priest pitches for UNESCO list entry