Lingaraj Temple

In News

• Recently, the Central government has questioned the legislative competence of the Odisha government to bring the 11th-century Lingaraj temple in Bhubaneswar under a special law. 

Ordinance by State Government

• The ordinance, approved by the Odisha government in 2020, aims to govern the Lingaraj Temple complex with a separate law akin to that of the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri.
• The state government had proposed to bring the Lingaraj Temple and eight other shrines under the control and supervision of a 15-member committee with a senior Hindu IAS officer as its administrator like that of Shree Jagannath Temple. 
• At present, the Lingaraj Temple is governed by the Odisha Hindu Religious Endowment Act, 1951.

Centre’s Stand

• The Centre has also raised objections to various constructions near the shrine. It has cited that as per the AMASR Act, new construction is prohibited within 100 metres of a protected monument and the area within 200 metres of a monument is known as a regulated zone.

• Odisha Government  accused the Centre of adopting double standards while clearing projects under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Act, which prohibits new construction within 100 metres of a protected monument.

Lingaraj Temple

• It was built during the 11th century AD.
• The temple has been described as “One of the finest examples of purely Hindu temples in India.
• Lingaraj is referred to as “Swayambhu” – (self-originated Shivling).
• The temple marks the culmination of the temple architecture in Bhubaneswar, Odisha which was the cradle of the Kalinga School of Temple Architecture.
• The sprawling temple complex has one hundred and fifty subsidiary shrines.
• The temples are considered a masterpiece of Indian Architecture for their detailed plan, proportions, seamless joints, elegant craftsmanship and impressive dimensions.
• The temple can broadly be divided into four main halls:
  • The Garbhagriha (Sanctum Sanctorum).
  •  The Yajana Mandapa (the hall for prayers)
  • The Natya Mandapa (dance and music hall)
  • The Bhoga Mandapa (where devotees can have the Prasad (offering) of the Lord).
• The exquisite carvings depicting chores of daily life, the activity centres, apart from being a place of worship, makes the temple a place for social and cultural gathering, somewhat like a modern community centre.

Source: IE