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Ananthasayana Vishnu Temple, Bhubaneswar
Reclining Vishnu · Kalinga Shrine · Odisha
॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥
The Ananthasayana Vishnu Temple in Bhubaneswar enshrines Vishnu in his Anantasayana form — reclining on the coils of the cosmic serpent Ananta. Built in the Kalinga style in the city long known as Ekamra Kshetra, it is one of the few Vaishnava shrines in a landscape dominated by Shiva temples, and its sculpted sanctum carries the deep-relief carving for which medieval Odisha is known.
The Anantasayana form of Vishnu
Anantasayana shows Vishnu asleep on the thousand-hooded serpent Ananta (also called Shesha), floating on the cosmic ocean between cycles of creation. From his navel rises the lotus that bears Brahma, and the goddess Lakshmi attends at his feet. The reclining murti at this temple follows that iconography, presenting the deity at rest rather than standing — a contemplative image meant to convey the stillness from which the universe unfolds.
A Vishnu shrine in a city of Shiva
Bhubaneswar, the old Ekamra Kshetra, holds hundreds of temples, the great majority of them Shaiva and crowned by the Lingaraja. A dedicated Vishnu temple here is comparatively rare, and this shrine is traditionally placed in the 13th century, a period when Vaishnava worship gained royal favour in Odisha. It stands close to the sacred tanks that thread the old temple quarter.
Kalinga architecture
The temple follows the Kalinga idiom of Odishan building — a curvilinear rekha deula tower over the sanctum, fronted by a pillared jagamohana hall. The exterior is worked with bands of scrollwork, guardian figures and miniature shrine motifs in the dense relief that distinguishes Odishan stonework, the same tradition that produced Lingaraja and, later, Konark.
Worship and festivals
Daily worship follows Vaishnava custom, and the temple draws its largest gatherings on the Ekadashi days sacred to Vishnu and during the festivals of the Vaishnava calendar. Devotees on the Bhubaneswar temple circuit often pair a visit here with the nearby Shaiva shrines, moving between the two great streams of Hindu devotion within a short walk.
How to reach the temple
- By air: Biju Patnaik International Airport, Bhubaneswar, is about 5 km away.
- By train: Bhubaneswar railway station is a short ride from the old temple quarter.
- By road: the temple sits within Bhubaneswar’s old town, easily reached by auto from anywhere in the city.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Anantasayana form at this temple?
Anantasayana depicts Vishnu reclining on the cosmic serpent Ananta upon the ocean of creation, with a lotus bearing Brahma rising from his navel. The temple’s sanctum enshrines Vishnu in this resting posture rather than standing.
Where is the Ananthasayana Vishnu Temple located?
It is in Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha, within the old temple city historically called Ekamra Kshetra, near the sacred tanks of the old quarter.
What architectural style is the temple?
It is built in the Kalinga style of Odisha, with a curvilinear rekha deula tower over the sanctum and a pillared jagamohana hall, carved in the deep relief typical of medieval Odishan temples.
Why is a Vishnu temple notable in Bhubaneswar?
Bhubaneswar’s temples are overwhelmingly Shaiva, centred on the Lingaraja. A dedicated Vishnu shrine is comparatively uncommon here, which gives this temple a distinct place on the city’s pilgrimage circuit.
When is the best time to visit?
The winter months from October to February are most comfortable in Bhubaneswar. Ekadashi days and the Vaishnava festivals see the most worshippers at the temple.
How do I reach Bhubaneswar’s old temple quarter?
Bhubaneswar is served by its own airport (about 5 km) and railway station, and the temple lies within the old town, reachable by auto-rickshaw from across the city.
॥ ॐ नमो नारायणाय ॥ • Bhaktiras.net Temple Guide
| Temple Name | Ananthasayana Vishnu Temple |
| Primary Deity | Vishnu (Anantasayana) |
| Location | Bhubaneswar |
| State | Odisha, India |
| Significance | Reclining Vishnu shrine |
| Architecture | Kalinga (rekha deula) |
| Period | 13th century |
| Key Festival | Vaishnava Ekadashi |
| City | Ekamra Kshetra |
| Nearest Airport | Bhubaneswar (~5 km) |
| Entry | Free |