Hidden heritage in Bhubaneswar: This forgotten Ganesh Temple near Lingaraj awaits preservation

Just a stone’s throw from the iconic Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar stands a centuries-old shrine that remains largely unknown to many visitors. Tucked amid the bustle of Old Town, the ‘Budha’ Ganesh Temple, also called ‘Kamana’ Ganesh, quietly preserves layers of Odisha’s sacred and architectural heritage.

Believed to date back to the 11th Century, the temple is one of Bhubaneswar’s oldest surviving shrines. Originally associated with the Lingaraj Temple, it later became part of the B.M. High School campus, where it has stood for nearly eight decades, continuing to draw students, locals, and passersby who stop to offer prayers.

The 5-Tiered ‘Pidha Deula’ Style Temple:

Built in the classic five-tiered ‘Pidha Deula’ style, the structure rises seven feet high and houses a striking three-foot black chlorite idol of Lord Ganesh. One of the temple’s most remarkable features, as believed, is its precise orientation, allowing the first rays of the rising sun to fall directly into the sanctum sanctorum- a testament to the architectural finesse of ancient Odishan temple builders.

“This idol, estimated to be 500–600 years old, was recovered during a cleanliness drive at the Bindusagar lake,” said historian Anil Dhir. “Crafted in the traditional Pidha architectural style, it also features a Dasavatara panel inside. Locals and devotees visiting the Lingaraj Temple often stop here to offer prayers. This is a beautiful, classic and typical model of Pidha deula temple,” said Dhir.

Locals say there are very few Ganesh temples in Bhubaneswar’s Old Town, and this is believed to be the oldest. Recovered from Bindusagar, the idol is affectionately known as ‘Budha Ganesh’ or ‘Kamana Ganesh’, a deity believed to fulfil heartfelt wishes. For many devotees, the temple is not merely a monument but a living spiritual refuge.

“The temple was located inside Bhakta Kabi Madhusudan Vidyalaya, where I studied. During Ganesh Puja, we used to celebrate and worship this idol in our school,” recalled a local resident.

Unlike other Ganesh temples where the deity’s traditional vahana is the mouse, this shrine features a green coconut placed beneath the idol. Devotees believe that sincere prayers here especially help children struggling academically and bless childless couples.

Safety Concerns Need Immediate Attention

However, the temple’s location has raised safety concerns. Standing in the middle of a narrow road, it is vulnerable to passing trucks and mini-trucks, particularly at night. Locals fear that an accident is only a matter of time. They believe that the Odisha government’s intervention is essential to fortify the structure and protect this fragile heritage site from potential damage.

Despite its modest size, the Budha Ganesh Temple remains a cherished part of Bhubaneswar’s spiritual landscape, an alleged overlooked yet enduring symbol of faith, craftsmanship, and history that deserves urgent preservation.