Kapilas

Location

It is situated in the north east corner of Dhenkanal town at a distance of 26 Km from the district head quarters. The temples is situated in about 2239 feet from the sea level. The temple is 60 feet in height. There are two approaches for the temple. One is through climbing 1352 steps and the other is 'Barabanki' or the travel twisting way. Narasinghdeva I constructed the temple for Sri Chandrasekhar in 1246AD indicated in the Kapilas temples inserption. In the left side 'Payamrta kunda'and in the right side 'Marichi kunda' exists. The temple has a wooden Jagamohana. Sri Ganesh, Kartikeya, Gangadevi, etc are found in the temple. Patita pavana Jaganath also remain in the temple as 'Parsa deva'. Lord Biswanath temple is also situated in Kapilas. According to some scholors this temple is older than the Chandrasekhar jew temple, hence it is known as 'Budha linga'. There are many legends about [[kapilas] pitha and its significance. History says it was the ashram of Kapila muni, to some scholars it is the second Kailas of Lord Siva. Dridhar swami who wrote commentary on Srimad Bhagavatham stayed there. There are some monastries in the premises.

The loftiest peak of Kapilas range enshrines the temple of Lord Shiva 'Chandrasekhar' at a height of about 457 mtrs. approachable by a flight of 1351 steps and a ghat road. Identified with "Kailas', the legendary abode of Lord Shiva, the hill has several caves, shrines and the ruins of a medieval fort which are regularly visited by pilgrims. The Deer park and Science Park are other attraction of the place.