Devoted to Lord Shiva, the Jalesvara Siva Temple is situated on the southern outskirt of the Kalarahanga village in the Bhubaneswar town of Odisha. Here, the presiding deity is a Shiva-lingam within a circular Yoni Pitha inside the sanctum sanctorum which is 1.15 m below the Chandrasila. The Sanctum measures 2 sq m. A massive compound wall surrounds the temple in all the directions. A Jalesvara pond is located in the east, paddy fields are seen in the north and south beyond this compound wall. It is believed that originally the temple was enclosed by water in all the four directions which are also confirmed by the local legend.
Significance:
According to local tradition the temple was built by Padma Keshari, one of the Keshari (Somavamsi) rulers, which however does not conform to the genealogical table of the Somavamsis. Rituals like Siva Vivaha, Sivaratri, Janmastami, Dola Purnima, Sitalasasthi, Chandana Yatra, Pindadana and Dhanu Makara are observed. Various social functions like marriage ceremony, thread ceremony, mundanakriya and engagement are performed.
