SAMBALPUR, INDIA, Marh 8, 2016 (New Indian Express): Thousands of devotees made beelines to Shiva temples across western Odisha on the occasion of Maha Shivaratri on Monday. With Shaivism flourishing in the region due to the rule of Chauhan dynasty in the region, Shiva temples dot the landscape. In the undivided district of Sambalpur, a large number of Shiva temples were built during the Chauhan rule. Prominent among them are Asta Sambhu Pitha comprising Bimaleswar in Huma, Kedarnath in Ambabhona, Vishwanath in Deogaon, Balunkeswar of Gaisama, Maneswar in Sambalpur, Swapneswar in Sorna, Viseswar in Soronda and Nilakantheswar in Niljee. While the Shiva temple at Huma and Maneswar are in Sambalpur district, the rest are located in Bargarh district.
These temples though small in height are of great artistic beauty. The presiding Deity Bimaleswar of leaning temple of Huma is the chief among the Asta Sambhus and continues to raise curiosity due to its architectural marvel of a leaning temple. The devotees continued to pour in at the temples till late into the night. Devotees, whose wishes come true, offer a copper serpent on the day.
Devotees also visited Ranipur Jharial in Balangir district which is considered as both a Tantra and Shaiva Peetha. Although regular puja at the Indralath temple, which is an architectural beauty made of bricks, has been stopped, Lingas inside the temples continue to attract visitors and devotees.