Brahmeswar or Brahmeshvara Temple is solely dedicated to Lord Shiva, one of the oldest and finest designed temple, located in capital and temple city Bhubaneshwar of Odisha. The temple is dedicated to the Hindu god, Lord Shiva. It is believed that the temple was built in the 9th century but as per records and information it was built during the Somavamsi dynasty in 11th century by Kolavati Devi mother of the King Udyotakesari. According to an inscription, even though the temple was built during the reign of King Udyotakesari, it was during the time of the king’s mother, Kolavati Devi, who issued the order for the construction. The temple is classified as a Panchatanaya temple where apart from the main shrine,
there are other four subsidiary shrines in the four corners around the temple and large square tank. The temple is built with traditional architectural methods of wood carving, but it is applied on stone building.
The temple is divide in the major two part, one is Vimana and second is the Jagmohana. Brahmeshwara temple resembles to the Mukteswara temple in many ways. It is a popular temple among devotees and known for its beautiful mix of Kalinga and Lingaya architectural style. The sandstone walls are carved with various celestial deities. The Chamunda appears on the western facade, holding a trident and a human head, standing on a corpse. Outside walls of the temple are adorned with gods and goddesses, Lord Shiva in form of Natraja, carvings of animals etc.
Here in temple Queen Kolavati presented the first inscriptional reference of Devadasi tradition in Bhubaneswar temples. Devadasi were maidens devoted to the worship and entertainment activity like dance, music for the presiding deity. For the first time among Bhubaneswar temples, prominence is given to relief carvings depicting dance and musical activities Although these can be found in earlier temples, at Brahmeswara female musicians are given importance.