Famous Monuments of Odisha and Their Builders (Odisha GK)
📖 Introduction
Odisha is world-famous for its temples, monuments, and architecture that reflect a blend of spirituality, art, and history. From the grand Jagannath Temple of Puri to the magnificent Sun Temple of Konark, the state’s monuments are a testimony to its rich heritage.
For Odisha GK and competitive exams, it is very important to know the famous monuments of Odisha and their builders.
| Monument / Structure | Location | Builder / Patron |
|---|---|---|
| Jagannath Temple | Puri | King Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva (Eastern Ganga Dynasty, 12th century) |
| Sun Temple | Konark | King Narasimhadeva I (Eastern Ganga Dynasty, 13th century) |
| Lingaraj Temple | Bhubaneswar | Somavamsi King Yayati Keshari (11th century) |
| Mukteswar Temple | Bhubaneswar | Somavamsi Dynasty (10th century) |
| Rajarani Temple | Bhubaneswar | Somavamsi Dynasty (11th century) |
| Brahmeshwar Temple | Bhubaneswar | Somavamsi King Udyotakesari (11th century) |
| Ananta Vasudeva Temple | Bhubaneswar | Queen Chandrika Devi (Eastern Ganga Dynasty, 13th century) |
| Vaital Deul Temple | Bhubaneswar | Built during the Bhaumakar dynasty (8th century) |
| Parasurameswar Temple | Bhubaneswar | Shailodbhava Dynasty (7th century) |
| Kapilash Temple (Chandrashekhar Temple) | Dhenkanal | Somavamsi Kings (13th century) |
| Dhauli Shanti Stupa | Dhauli, Bhubaneswar | Originally, Ashoka (3rd century BCE); the modern Peace Pagoda was built in 1972 by the Japan Buddha Sangha |
| Udayagiri & Khandagiri Caves | Bhubaneswar | King Kharavela (Mahameghavahana Dynasty, 2nd century BCE) |
| Ratnagiri, Lalitgiri & Udayagiri Buddhist Monasteries | Jajpur District | Built under the Gupta period and the Bhaumakar dynasty (5th–8th century) |
| Barabati Fort | Cuttack | Ganga King Anangabhima Deva III (13th century) |
| Chudangagarh Fort | Cuttack | Ganga Dynasty (13th century) |
| Kuruma Buddhist Site | Puri District | Built during Gupta period (7th–8th century CE) |
| Belkhandi Temples | Kalahandi | Constructed under Nagavamsi rulers (9th–10th century) |
| Hirakud Dam | Sambalpur | Independent India project, completed in 1957 under the Mahanadi Valley Project |
| Rajendra Narayan Palace | Bolangir | King Rajendra Narayan Singh Deo (20th century) |
| Chilika Lake Kalijai Temple | Chilika, Ganjam | Local rulers, associated with the legend of Goddess Kalijai |
| Samaleswari Temple | Sambalpur | Chauhan ruler Balaram Dev (16th century) |
| Jagannath Temple | Nayagarh | Nayagarh Kings (18th century) |
| Sarala Temple | Jagatsinghpur | Originally built during the Bhaumakar period, rebuilt by later rulers |
📌 Quick Facts for Exams
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Oldest surviving temple in Odisha → Parasurameswar Temple (7th century, Shailodbhava dynasty).
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Greatest symbol of Kalinga war & peace → Dhauli Stupa (Ashoka, later modern pagoda in 1972).
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Largest temple complex → Jagannath Temple, Puri.
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Best-known Buddhist monuments → Ratnagiri, Lalitgiri, and Udayagiri (Diamond Triangle).
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Modern marvel → Hirakud Dam (1957), one of the world’s longest earthen dams.
Jagannath Temple, Puri → King Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva
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Sun Temple, Konark → King Narasimhadeva I
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Lingaraj Temple, Bhubaneswar → Yayati Keshari
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Udayagiri & Khandagiri Caves → King Kharavela
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Dhauli Stupa → Symbol of Ashoka’s Kalinga War & later Buddhist peace monument
📝 Conclusion
The monuments and structures of Odisha showcase its journey from ancient Kalinga temples and Buddhist monasteries to medieval forts and modern projects like Hirakud Dam. For Odisha GK exams, focus on which king/dynasty built which structure and its historical importance.