Brahmeswara Temple

Built in 1058 CE under the patronage of the Somavamshi queen-mother Kolavati Devi, as recorded in a surviving inscription, the Brahmeswara Temple is a rare instance of a major Odishan shrine whose female donor is explicitly named in stone. Its panchayatana plan, a central deul flanked by four corner shrines, is executed with confident, mature Kalinga proportions, while the jagamohana's exterior carries lively friezes of dancers, musicians and amorous couples comparable in spirit to Konark's later sculpture. The temple's compound, tank and boundary wall survive largely intact from the original construction. Still an active Shiva shrine within Bhubaneswar's old temple town, it draws far fewer visitors than Lingaraj despite comparable art-historical importance, making it a rewarding stop for travellers seeking Kalinga sculpture without crowds.