Shree Dhabaleswar Temple

4.6

Location: GR33+M95, Canal Rd, Ranihat Colony, Cuttack, Odisha 753007, India.

Estimated Visiting Time: 1 to 2 hours.

Shree Dhabaleswar Temple, situated near Cuttack, is dedicated to the worship of ‘Lord Shiva’. It is situated at a distance of 15 kilometers from the city of Cuttack, Odisha, India, on the riverine island of ‘Lord Dhabaleshwar’. The holy temple, situated on an island on River ‘Mahanadi’, is embellished with stone carvings that date back to the 10th and 11th centuries. The serene ambiance (in which the temple is situated) inspires spiritual feeling among one and all.
This temple is dedicated to ‘Lord Shiva’. The temple is a very serene place to sit and relax and it is on top of the hill where you can get a stunning view of some part of old ‘Bhubaneswar’ and ‘Daya’ river from here. Almost all the tourists who visit this temple come to ‘Dhauli Shanti stupa’ as it adjoins it. Tourists love going here as it provides a quiet peaceful environment.

Attraction

Dhabaleswar is popular for the temple of ‘Lord Shiva’ that stands on a hillock in the middle of river Mahanadi. It is situated on an island on the river near ‘Mancheswar village’ of Athagarh block, 37 km from the busy area of Cuttack city. Here, visitors can also explore the museum located inside the temple premises. It houses several artifacts and relics from ancient times. The serene as well as peaceful environment of the temple along with its breathtaking views makes it a perfect place for meditation and introspection. Here, you can find peace of mind.
The temple ends up attracting a lot of people every year. Especially when a big fair is held on the Shukla paksha Chaturdashi of the month ‘Kartika’ called Bada-osha Shivaratri. Various functions like Shivaratri, Dola Purnima, Pausha Purnima, and Kartika Purnima are celebrated here. Devotees from all over India come here.

History

The name ‘Dhabaleswar’ (‘Dhabala’ or White) is attributed to a miracle performed by the Lord Shiva. Once, a thief stole a black bull calf from a village and fled to a Shiva temple. He hid himself (with the calf) in the sanctum while the angry crowd waited outside of the temple. The crowd could clearly hear ‘the calf’ calling out. The thief prayed to Lord Shiva to deliver him from the angry crowd. Taking pity on him, Lord Shiva appeared as a ‘Sannyasin’ before the crowd. He asked them the cause of their agitation. On being told that they suspected the thief of hiding in the sanctum and the black calf, the sannyasin brought the calf outside in order to dispel their doubts. The calf turned out to be a white one, seeing as the crowd let the thief go. The sannyasin disappeared and the thief realized who had come to his aid. He confessed the truth and apologized to the crowd. He took a vow to spend the rest of his life in the service of the Lord. The act of turning a black calf to white caused Lord Shiva to be also known as ‘Dhabaleswara’. This is the legend of this temple.

Inside/Outside Views

The structure of the temple is truly beautiful. You can take photos here because this temple is on the top of ‘Dhauli hill’ so you can capture some beautiful pictures. The ‘Dhauligiri Stupa’ or the Peace Pagoda is located beside this ancient Temple. Serene, is peaceful, beautiful, calm, and a true spiritual getaway from the hustle or bustle of busy life.
The temple can easily be reached by bus via Choudwar, Nuapatna, and Mancheshwar. It can also be reached via Bidanasi through boating on the river Mahanadi. However, now a bridge has been made by the Odisha govt. It is Odisha’s first ever foot hang bridge connecting the exotic island with Mancheswar which is the major way to reach the temple. The bridge itself is beautiful.Being situated on an island, this temple can also be reached by boats leaving from ferries in or near Cuttack. Additionally, there is also a footbridge that devotees, as well as visitors, can use on paying a nominal fee. People from the nearby villages have set up several shops leading to the bridge and the temple’s entrance.

Opening Hours

Dhabaleshwar Temple Pooja Timings

Days	Time	Temple Darshan Timings
Monday to Sunday	Morning Pooja Hours	5:00 AM to 12:30 PM
Monday to Sunday	Evening Pooja Hours	1:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Entry & Others Fees

No entry fee is applied.

Near Restaurants

Near Hotels

How to Reach

By road: It is situated in Cuttack’s ‘Ranihat Colony’ area. From the busy area of Cuttack, Shree Dhabaleswar Temple is 15 km away. Cuttack is well connected with other major cities like Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai, etc. of the country. From Cuttack City, you will get local transport to reach the site.

By air: The closest airport, ‘Biju Patnaik International Airport’ (which is an international one), is almost 37 kilometers away from this area which is in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. You can visit this place from outside of India. Apart from that, there are airports in Delhi or Lucknow with direct flights to Bhubaneswar. From the airport, you can easily get local transport to reach the site.

By train: The closest railway station from the Shree Dhabaleswar Temple is 17 km away at the ‘Cuttack Junction’. This station is well connected with major areas of the country. From the station, you will get local transport so that you can reach the site.

Tips for Travellers

Please wear suitable and comfortable clothes according to both culture and seasons.
Don’t forget to follow the code of conduct.
If you are visiting Nainital for the first time, try to visit in a group for safety purposes.
Please stay away from total strangers.