The Antiquities of Orissa v2.c17.s1.98

v2.c17.s1.98

**Siddhesvara Temple**—Fifty yards to the north-west of Mukteśvara, there is a decayed old temple of no architectural importance, but of considerable antiquity and sanctity. It is older than Kedāreśvara and other temples which surround it, and, though now neglected, was once the most sacred spot on this side of Bhuvaneśvara. It was, according to the *Ekāmra Purāṇa*, erected by the celestial architect Viśvakarmā, by order of Viṣṇu; and, since Viṣṇu attained his perfection (*siddhi*) through the blessing of Śiva, the presiding divinity was named Siddheśvara. The blessing went further, and said, “Whoever will worship the divinity will become perfect”; and many sages, dwelling in its neighbourhood, attained to whatever they desired. Hence the name of the locality, Siddheśvara-vana, or “the grove of the perfected.” The temple is 47 feet high, and has a well-proportioned porch (Plate XL). To the east of it there is a temple which the discus of Viṣṇu established, whence called Cakreśvara, otherwise called Śaṃkareśvara, another called Śakreśvara, a spring behind it to the west, and several small temple of no pretension, and more or less in ruins. These are respectively assigned to Śaktyeśvara, Vāyaveśvara, Varuṇeśvara, Dhanadeśvara, Pāvakeśvara and Candreśvara, the lords of the different deities whose name they bear, and who caused the temples to be erected by Visvakarmā.