Panchlingeshwar - An embodiment of serenity

Cascading stream

In 2009, our office took us to a religious spot, Panchlingeshwar for our Annual Conference.

Panchlingeshwar is situated in the Balasore District of Orissa. The name itself connotes that the significance of the place is bestowed on the esoteric beauty of the five lingams of Lord Shiva. Nature here has unfolded itself in the most bounteous way. The bucolic beauty has gracefully fused with the numinous splendour of the place.

The stream flowing over five lingams

The five lingams are enshrined in the Nilgiri hills. It is an amazing sight to see the stream continuously flowing over the lingams. We were unable to see the original and ancient lingams because of the cascading water. One local guide told that during the month of Shravan, devotees from various places assemble here to pay homage to Lord Shiva. They pour holy water in the stream which flows over, bathing the lingams. People need to lie over the rocks to touch the lingams. 

The bael tree with five leaves in one stem

The guide showed us one more interesting and distinctive breed of Bael tree. Bael tree is considered to be one of the sacred trees of India. It is said that worship of Lord Shiva can not be completed without bael leaves.We generally get to see three leaves together in one stem of the tree. But here this sacred tree bears five leaves together in a stem. Five leaves, five lingams…the divine correlation enthralled me. 

Since the place is quite a few kms away from Baleswar City, it might take some time to arrange for something on an emergency basis. So it is better to be well-equiped with medicines and other necessary items.

A moment before it started to rain heavily

We met these humble company on our way to the temple