Chitrakarini Temple

I was totally in love with this temple. Such beauty, such grace, so much of intricate architecture. As if I wanted to spend more of my time here. All the greenery and the yellow blooming flowers were adding so much charm to the ethereal beauty of the temple. A must visit for sure. It’s located in the same compound of Lingaraj Temple.

In Bhubaneswar, many temples are part of the rich cultural and architectural heritage of the region. Our city is known for its numerous ancient temples, including those built during the Kalinga architecture period.

The temple is dedicated to the goddess Chitrakarini, a form of the goddess Durga. The temple dates back to the 10th century and is one of the oldest temples in Bhubaneswar.
The temple is located in a large complex that includes a garden and a pond.
The main shrine of the temple is located behind a large Nandi statue.
Inside the shrine is a beautifully and artistically crafted statue of the goddess Chitrakarini riding a lion.

This temple is a must-see for anyone visiting Bhubaneswar. The temple is a beautiful and serene place to visit, and it offers visitors a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of Odisha.

" Travel more to discover yourself"

Chitrakarini Temple is located approximately 75m east of Papanasini Temple Complex on Rath Road in Bhubaneswar, right next to northern Lingaraja Temple compound wall. The east-facing temple is built in the panchayatana layout, with a central main temple accompanied by four smaller subsidiary shrines. The temples are set within a pretty and well manicured garden that is maintained by the ASI. North lintel frieze of Jagamohana window depicting Krishna playing his flute amidst enchanted followers and listening cattle
The temple is thought to have been constructed around the middle of the 13th century A.D. This potentially suggests it could have been instigated by the Ganga dynasty king Narasingha Deva I (also known as Parama Mahesvara) who reigned over the kingdom of Kalinga (ancient Odisha) between circa 1238 and 1264 A.D. This is the same ruler who is attributed as the builder of the Sun Temple at Konark. The temple’s name is derived from the Goddess Chitrakarini, a Sanskrit term that roughly translates to “Paintress”. She is a form of the Goddess Saraswati, who is regarded as the prime goddess of knowledge and creative expression.

The Chitreswar temple, otherwise known as Chitrakarini is situated to the North of the Lingaraj temple within a close distance. It has four smaller temples in the four corners of the compound. It is a saptaratha temple and is one of the most beautifully decorated monuments. Within the sanctum a chamunda image is worshipped.

It is small temple complex located next to the northern side of Lingaraja temple. The complex is well maintained and you will observe the peaceful mind if you spend sitting and praying. The east faced main temple of Chitrakarini ( a form of Devi Saraswathi) is surrounded by four subsidiary temples.

Beutiful place👍, silent 🧘, very clean area . U must visit this place when visiting lingaraj temple.

Old temple in the middle of the market, adjacent to Lingaraj temple. Lit in the night and can come here for a small break, enjoy solitude and go back.

A extremely well craved east facing temple of Old Town Chitrakarini Temple, is situated north side of Lingaraj Temple.

The word Chitrakarini word states that "Paintress" and locals says She is a form of devi Saraswati, and regarded as prime goddess of knowledge and creative expression.

Approximately the Temple was thought to have been constructed in the middle of 13th century by Narasingha Dev 1..

Temple has built in Pancharatha Kalinga architecture style with Rekha vimana and Pidha Jagmohana.

Old temple in the middle of the market, adjacent to Lingaraj temple. Lit in the night and can come here for a small break, enjoy solitude and go back.

Best temple to visit in Bhubaneswar. There are hardly any visitors. It's serene calm and it's the pandit there who has created that sacred space. He serves the godess like his mother. It's divine. Must must visit.

Beautiful temple with a big pool

It's a holy temple just beside the Ling raj temple. Architecture is likewise Lingraj temple it's because of the vicinity.

This temple is located just beside the iconic Lingraj temple (Curzon mandap side). It has a small compound with a well maintained garden. The atmosphere is so calm and peaceful. Sadly many of the delicate wall curving are in dilapidated condition.

Peaceful. Loved it.

13th century temple. Actually it is a complex which has 5 temples. Very well maintained and beautifully preserved. Has a wonderful lawn. I have adde the photo of the stone which is used to build its boundary. It is called “ MANKADA PATHARA” in local Odia language

Beautiful temple with lot of carvings. Calm and serene place. Very neatly maintained. It's a protected monument.

Heritage architectural and sculptural expressions are self-explanatory documents, which carries its legacy along with the wheel of time. The Chitrakarini temple of Bhubaneswar is one among such precious monuments, where the then socio-culture knowledge and ideological hemispheres had taken its materialistic identity, through precisely crafted sculptural panoramic expressions. Material wise this temple-structure could be categorized as an example of stone architecture; and is located in the Old Town area of Bhubaneswar, which is the state capital city of Odisha state, India. Goddess Chitrakarini is being worshipped in this temple- as major deity. As the name “Chitrakarini” reflects, this is a temple of “Female Painter” or “Paintress of Life”- and is world’s only known temple, which is dedicated to the goddess “Chitrakarini”- who is the divine sub-form of Goddess Saraswati– the deity of Knowledge in Hinduism. Therefore goddess Chitrakarini, establishes her identity as the goddess of Creative Intellectual Activities. This temple was built during CE 1238 to CE 1264 by one of the Vaishnav king of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty, Narasingh Dev-1. According to local religious and socio-cultural beliefs this monument is dedicated to worship and honor women’s contribution towards the creation, management and maintenance of human life-cycles over this planet. But as observed, now a day this heritage monument is detreating due to multifold issues. This temple is declared as ‘Monument Of National Importance’, under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites & Remains Act’ 1958. This paper critically investigates the present overall scenario of this temple.

One of the most beautiful temple in bhubaneawar. A beautiful architectural design with awesome stone carving panels. Must visit this beautiful designed Hindu temple.

Its right next to Lingaraj Temple and situated in a Garden. The Temple is from 13th Century and has four small Temples and a Main Temple. It's a quiet place and hardly gets many visitors. It's good if you want to spend some alone time.

One of the important temples of Shakti in Bhubaneswar is Chitrakarini temple, belongs to the later group temples of Bhubaneswar. It is certain that it was built by the Ganga Kings. It was perhaps built by the Ganga King Narasimha Deva I, who was also called as Parama Mahesvara, in the middle of 13th century CE.