Sobhaneshwara Shiva Temple is an ancient temple on the left bank of the river Prachi. This temple adorned with beautiful sculptures is really a treasure trove for scholars and tourists. Vimana,
Jagamohana, Natyamandira or dance hall and Bhogamandapa constitute the temple parts. The main temple is a resplendent example of the rekha style of Orissan architecture. The Ashta Dikpalakas or gods of the eight directions, with their respective consorts, are carved on the body of the main temple.
The image of Chamunda (Goddess
Durga) which stands to its west is considered the oldest Chamunda image so far discovered in
Orissa. The Madhava images of the Sobhaneshwara temple, along with the two
Vishnu images recovered from the pond, point out that the place must once have been the seat of Vaishnavism.
Sobhaneshwara Shiva Temple is in Niali, a village on the road branching off from Phulnakhara on the National Highway -5. It is about 47 km from
Cuttack, and 49 km from
Bhubaneswar via Phulnakhara.
