Where Is The Kapilash Temple Located?
The Kapliash Temple is a centuries-old Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva that is nestled in the heart of the Kapilash Mountain at an elevation of 2,239 ft above sea-level. The temple is located in the Dhenkanal town’s north-eastern part.
History Of The Kapilash Temple
The temple was built in 1246 CE by the Ganga Dynasty ruler King Narasinghdeva I. He principal deity of the temple is Lord Shiva. Two water bodies named the Payamrta Kunda and the Marichi Kunda exist on either side of the temple. Besides, the principal deity, many other Hindu deities are also worshipped in the temple. Many legends are associated with this temple. Sadly, the temple witnessed a robbery on November 2015 when robbers stole three ancient stone idols of the temple.
Present Status Of The Kapilash Temple
The Kapilash Temple runs as one of the oldest and most revered temples in the region. Residential priests of the temple continue to perform the regular temple rituals every day. Both locals and pilgrims from other parts of India visit the temple for worshipping. The Kapilash Temple remains most busy during the Hindu festival of Maha Shivratri. During this time, thousands of devotees from nearby towns and villages flock to the temple to worship Lord Shiva. Many carry water from the Mahanadi River in earthen pots on their shoulders and trek all the way up the mountain to visit the temple.
Things To See And Do In And Around The Kapilash Temple
A visit to the Kapilash Temple is a pleasant experience. The scenic drive through the mountain road will make you feel nice and fresh. Once you reach the temple, you will be greeted by large groups of monkeys and free-roaming ox, common features of Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. A good thing is that you are allowed to use your camera in the temple premises but not in the inner sanctuary of the temple. You will need to remove your shoes at the entrance or deposit it in the care of a shopkeeper in exchange for a small change. The atmosphere all around you is very serene. The age of the temple will definitely make you wonder how it has survived the test of times.
How To Go To The Kapilash Temple?
To visit the temple, you need to go to the town of Dhenkanal. For that, trains and buses are available from the capital city of Orissa, Bhubaneswar. It takes a bit more than an hour to reach Dhenkanal from Bhubaneswar by car, train or bus. Once in Dhenkanal, you can visit several other attractions in the town and arrange for an overnight stay at the Dhenkanal Palace or other hotels or you can return to Bhubaneswar on the same day.
Photographs by: Arijit Nag
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