- Muktesvara deula is a 10th-century Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva located in Bhubaneshwar, Odisha, India.
- The temple dates back to 970 CE and is a monument of importance in the study of the development of Hindu temples in Odisha.
- The stylistic development the Mukteswara marks the culmination of all earlier developments, and initiates a period of experiment which continues for an entire century, as seen in such temples as the Rajarani Temple and Lingaraj temple, both located in Bhubaneswar.
Religious significance :
- Muktesvara means "Lord of Freedom". The temple is dedicated to Hindu god Shiva.
- There are a number of sculptures of skeletal ascetics in teaching or meditation poses. Some scholars correlate the role of the temple as a center for Tantric initiation with the name Muktesvara as a possible thesis.
- The outer face of the compound wall has niches of Hindu deities like Saraswathi, Ganesha and Lakulisha (the fifth century founder of the Pashupata sect of tantric Saivism).
- The numerous images of Lakulisha are found in miniature forms within Chaitya arches, showing various mudras like yoga, Bhumispara and vyakyana wit yogapatta tied to their knees. They are accompanied by the images of the disciples.
- According to tradition, barren women give birth to sons if they take a dip in Madicha Kunda tank in the premises of the temple on the night before Ashokastami car festival. On the evening, the water in the tank is sold to the public.
Tourist Attraction :
- The Department of Tourism of the state government organises a three-day yearly dance function called Mukteswar Dance Festival in the temple premises.
- This festival celebrates the features of Odissi, the classical dance form of Odisha. Popular Odissi dancers perform during the function, accompanied by instruments like mardal.
- The event is webcast in the state government portal.