Popularly known as ‘Mausi Maa’ temple (maternal aunt of Lord Lingaraj), its origin can be traced to the initial phase of the Somavamsi dynasty reign i.e. early part of the 9th Century AD.
The temple, like the more famous Lingaraja temple, falls under the rekha deula category of Kalinga temples. It was built during what has been termed as a transitional phase of Kalinga School of Architecture.
The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Shiva. The lingam is consecrated within a circular ‘yonipitha’ made of chlorite. One can also find an image of Goddess Durga within the sanctum sanctorum.
The temple's name is associated with the legend of Lord Ram. It is said that Lord Rama along with his wife Sita, while he was returning to Ayodhya after his victory over Ravana, in Lanka, was passing over Ekamra Kshetra. Here Sita requested him to stop and expressed a desire to offer prayers to Lord Shiva. To fulfill the wishes of his wife, Lord Ram built the lingam. Hence the name Rameswara was attached with the temple.
In front of the temple, on the opposite side of the road are three temples dedicated to the three brothers of Lord Ram, Laxman, Bharat and Shatrughna. These three temples are the oldest temples built in Bhubaneswar in existence today.
Rukuna Rath Jatra is the major festival observed at the temple. Every year during the month of March/April (8th day on the month of Chaitra) Lord Lingaraj (represented by the bronze statue of Chandrashekhar), along with Rukmini and Basudeva are taken to Rameshwar Temple in a colourful procession. The festival is also called Ashokastami and the deities stay in the temple for four days before returning to their abode, the Lingaraja temple, on the fifth day. The festival is called Analeuta Ratha Jatra (meaning the chariot doesn’t take a turn all along its journey).
| Timings | 6:30AM till 7:30 PM |
|---|---|
| Entry Fee | Free |
