Sri Dhabaleswar Temple is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is situated some kms far away from Cuttack, Odisha, and the temple is situated on a marvellous island on the Holy River Mahanadi, and some stone inscriptions are also found in the temple. The serene atmosphere, of the temple inculcates spirituality, and those who want to spend their time peacefully somewhere in India, can visit this divine place.
As per ancient legend, Once Lord Shiva helped a thief when he tried to stole a black bull calf from a village by turning the calf into white, and also made him to realize his mistake. The thief from then onwards become a helper in the temple and rendered wonderful service to the Lord. Since Lord Shiva changed the black calf into white, he came to be known as Lord Dhabaleswara. The temple structure was constructed by a King who name was Yayati Keshari, and later it was subsequently renovated and repaired by the Odisha Kings.
The temple can be reached by taking the help of the local villagers. Since the temple is located on an island, the temple can be reached by travelling in boats, and we can find several shops near the entrance of the temple.
A big fair is being held on the auspicious festival Shukla paksha chaturdashi in order to sanctify Lord Dhabaleswara.
Various festivals like Shivaratri, Poornima (Full Moon Day) and Navaratri are celebrated here by the devotees.
There is a famous song in praise of Lord Dhabaleswara which would be sung by the local villagers, and the holy verses are as follows:
I pray to the first god, Ekadanta(Lord Vinayaka) who is the beloved son of Lord Shiva, Whose beauty cannot be described by the ordinary humans, and he is the one, who is capable of protecting us from dangers.
I meditate on the great Lord Dhabaleswara, for whom there is no beginning or end, he is the form of Vedas, and he is the master of the universe, OM SRI DHABALESWARAYA NAMAHA.
I salute the Lord, who contains five faces, who sits on his beloved Nandi Vahana, who wears snakes as ornaments, who contains matted hair, who has kept Moon and the holy River Ganga on his head and whose beloved consort is Ma Shakti Devi, OM SRI DHABALESWARAYA NAMAHA.
I meditate on Lord Shiva, who is also called by various other names such as Ishana, Veerabhadra, Eswara, Kala Bhairava, Rudra and many more, OM SRI DHABALESWARAYA NAMAHA.
I meditate on Lord Shiva, who gives permanent happiness to us, and he is the one, who looks like a Holy Rishi. I salute the lotus feet of Lord Shiva, which is adorned by beautiful and fragrant flower garlands, and he is always worshipped by Devas like Indra, Varuna and Agni, and he is the one who contains unlimited powers, OM SRI DHABALESWARAYA NAMAHA.
Hey, Mahadeva, Shambasiva, Karunamurthy, you are considered to be the affectionate consort of Ma Shakti Devi, and you are the one who always shows mercy on your devotees,
you are the one, who destroys the worries of your devotees and you are the one, who gives them great pleasantness in their life, OM SRI DHABALESWARAYA NAMAHA.
Hey Lord Shiva, you are the god of the gods, and you are the first and foremost Rishi, please make me to involve myself to concentrate on you and you only, please take me to your abode after my death, and relieve me from the repeated birth cycles, OM SRI DHABALESWARAYA NAMAHA.
Hey, Lord Shiva, you are also known as the third-eyed god, you are the one, who had destroyed even the death god Yama, and saved your devotee Markandeya from death, please forgive all of my mistakes, and give me a fresh life. OM SRI DHABALESWARAYA NAMAHA.
You are the one who is very gentle towards your devotees, and shows them the right path. Your blessings on your devotees are unlimited, and that’s your devotees call you as “KARUNASAGARA”, since you show mercy on your devotees like a vast ocean, OM SRI DHABALESWARAYA NAMAHA.
Oh, My Lord Shiva, you are the one, who wilfully drank the Halahala poison by considering it as the divine nectar, in order to safeguard the entire universe from destruction. OM SRI DHABALESWARAYA NAMAHA.
Oh Lord Shiva, please consider me as your bull, Lord Nandikeswara, and climb on me, consider me as the moon, and keep me on your head, consider me as your serpent and please wear me on your neck, consider me as your servant and show me your divine vision. OM SRI DHABALESWARAYA NAMAHA.
Oh Lord you are the god of the Kailash mountain, you are also the Lord of the Holy City Kasi,
and you contain innumerable temples in the holy earth. I am a layman, and I don’t know how to sing your praise,
I don’t know how to meditate on you, I don’t know the proper system of worshipping you, however I simply chant your Shiva Mantra, “OM NAMAH SHIVAYA” in order to get immense blessings from you.
“OM SRI DHABALESWARAYA NAMAHA”
WRITTEN BY
R. HARISHANKAR