Nestled 70 km from both Cuttack and Bhubaneswar, Singhanath Temple is an ancient gem located in the quaint village of Gopinathpur, within Baramba tehsil of Cuttack district, Odisha. Perched atop a hill amid the serene Mahanadi River, this temple stands as one of the oldest and most significant landmarks to explore during a Cuttack tour.

Dedicated to Lord Shiva, worshipped through Narasimha, an avatar of Vishnu, it is believed that this temple was constructed between the 8th and 9th centuries. Today, it remains a revered pilgrimage site for devotees visiting the region near Bhubaneswar. The temple boasts a unique blend of sculptural artistry that reflects elements from both the Saivaite and Vaishnava traditions.

The architecture is characterized by the Panchayatana style, featuring a main shrine elevated on a platform, surrounded by four smaller shrines at each corner. The vimana has a square layout, while the jagamohana is rectangular. The sanctum enshrines Simhanatha, represented as a Shiva lingam with yonipitha firmly grounded in the earth. The interiors are simple yet accentuated by intricately carved doorjambs and niches, showcasing depictions of Uma Maheswara engaged in a game of dice, alongside an image of Lakulisa above.

This temple is situated on an island within the Mahanadi River, close to Gopinathpur Village in Badamba Tehsil, Cuttack District, Odisha. Adi Shankara’s influence can be seen in the implementation of the Panchayatana architectural style throughout the temple’s structure. Surrounding the main shrine are smaller temples dedicated to deities such as Vishnu, Ganesh, Surya, and Mahishamardini.

Within the garbhagriha lies a Shivalinga mounted on yonipatta attached to the earth, symbolizing Kalinga architecture’s early Pancharatha Deula development. archaeological surveys suggest the temple dates back to the early ninth century AD, showcasing intricately carved sculptural panels and decorative motifs, including images of Brahma, Kartikeya, Vishnu, Parvati, the Linga Puja votive slab, Mahisasuramardini Durga, and Lakulisa gracing the compound walls.

The Simhanath Temple in Gopinathpur showcases a stunning rekha deula and a terraced roof jagamohana, embodying the traditional Kalingan temple architecture. It stands out for its impressive sculptures that represent both the Saivaite and Vaishnava cults.

Designed in the Panchayatana style, the temple features a main shrine elevated on a platform, accompanied by four smaller shrines at each corner. Unfortunately, only the southeast corner shrine remains intact today.

As part of the temple complex, several pidha shrines were later added. These are home to sculptures salvaged from the other corner shrines that have since collapsed. The vimana is square, while the jagamohana follows a rectangular form. At the sanctum, you’ll find the presiding deity, Simhanatha, represented as a Shiva Linga situated within a circular yonipitha. In addition to Simhanatha, the temple includes shrines for Lord Shiva, Lord Rama, and Maa Dakshina Kali. A notable feature of this area is the T-Bridge, which spans the river, creating a connection to Singhanath Mandir. Simhanath Temple is a popular tourist destination in Cuttack, Odisha.