There is a saying that all the temples near lingraj temple are brother of lord lingraj and made at the same time. Yes agreed, as the stones that used in the sculptures are rare. many people comes here to study about its sculptures. This is one among the most old temples in odisha, built in 10th century.
The Mukteswar Temple is found to be the earliest work from the Somavamshi ruling period. Most historians believe the temple is the successor to Parashurameshwara Temple and built earlier to the Brahmeswara Temple (i.e. 1060 CE).
The presence of a torana or gate,
which is not part of any other temple in the region, makes this temple very
unique and beautiful. The jagamohana of this late
10th century temple is now a pidha deul with decorated ceiling, carved
into a lotus with eight petals. The change in iconography is equally
noticeable with Ketu introduced as the 9th planet, the association
Karttikeya with the cock and the appearance of the mouse as the mount of
Ganesha.
The
diamond shaped latticed windows in the North and South walls of
Jagamohana depict enchanting scenes of frolicking monkeys. The
chaitya-windows carved on the sanctuary tower show an arresting
ornamental design, bho, a motif-the grinning face of a lion with beaded
tassels emerging from its mouth, flanked by two dwarves, the pattern
resembling a coat of arms.
Which time is best to visit ?
The Department of Tourism of the state government of odisha organises a three-day yearly dance function called as Mukteswar Dance Festival in the temple premises. This festival celebrates the features of Odissi, the classical dance form of Odisha and Odissi music,
the classical music of the same traditional play. Many Popular Odissi dancers
perform during the function each year, accompanied by instruments like mardala. The event is webcast in the odisha state government portal.