Kapilash Temple

Kapilash Temple is situated in the north eastern part of Dhenkanal town, Orissa, India at a distance of 26 km from the district head quarters.

Location and architechture

The temples are situated at a height of about 2239 feet from sea level. The main tower of the temple is 60 feet tall. There are two approaches for the temple. One is by climbing 1352 steps and the other is 'Barabanki' or travelling by the twisting way.King Narasinghdeva I of Ganga Dynasty constructed the temple for Sri Chandrasekhar in 1246 A.D as indicated in the Kapilash temple inscription. In the left side of the temple the 'Payamrta kunda'and in the right side the 'Marichi kunda' exist. The temple has a wooden Jagamohana. Sri Ganesh, Kartikeya, Gangadevi, etc. are found in the temple. Patita pavana Jagannath is installed in the temple as the 'Parsa deva'. Lord Vishwanath temple is also situated in Kapilas. According to some scholars this temple is older than the Chandrasekhar temple, hence it is known as 'Budha linga'. There are many legends about Kapilash pitha and its significance. Tradition describes it as the ashram of Kapila, to some scholars it is the second Kailash of Lord Shiva. Shridhar swami who wrote commentary on Bhagavata Purana stayed there. There are some monasteries in the premises.