Lingaraj Temple: The King of Jyotirlingas and the Only Shiva Shrine Where Tulsi Leaves Are Offered

New Delhi(The Uttam Hindu): The holy month of Sawan is in full swing, and devotees of Lord Shiva are thronging temples across the country to seek the blessings of Mahadev. Among the many sacred shrines dedicated to Shiva, one temple holds a unique and supreme position—it is revered as the King of Jyotirlingas and is the only temple in the world where Tulsi leaves, traditionally forbidden in Shiva worship, are offered to the deity.

This exceptional shrine is the Lingaraj Temple, located in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. The word Lingaraj means “King of Lingams,” and the deity here is also called Tribhuvaneshwar—the Lord of the three worlds. It is believed that the name Bhubaneswar itself is derived from this title. The temple complex is vast, housing around 150 smaller shrines, including sanctums dedicated to all 12 Jyotirlingas and 108 smaller Shiva temples.

Built between the 10th and 11th centuries by the Somavanshi King Yayati I, the temple is an architectural marvel. What makes it even more special is that the presiding deity, Harihara, represents the combined form of Lord Shiva (Hara) and Lord Vishnu (Hari). Because of this unique dual form, Tulsi leaves—sacred to Vishnu—are also offered to Lingaraj along with the traditional Bel leaves.

The self-manifested (Swayambhu) Shivling at this temple has a diameter of 8 feet and a height of 8 inches. Non-Hindus are not allowed inside the sanctum, but an elevated platform outside the temple allows everyone to witness its grandeur.

The temple also has a sacred well called Marichi Kund, where it is believed that women facing difficulties in conceiving are blessed with children after taking a ritual bath.

Lingaraj Temple is a rare symbol of unity between Shaivism and Vaishnavism, and its spiritual significance is mentioned in the Brahma Purana, Skanda Purana, and Kapila Samhita. Surrounded by other famous temples like Mukteshwar, Rajarani, Ananta Vasudeva, and Parsurameswar, the Lingaraj Temple stands 180 feet tall, even higher than the iconic Jagannath Temple of Puri. In 1984, it was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, making it one of the most revered and historically important temples in India.