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Dhabaleswar Island, Cuttack, Odisha · 20.1983°, 85.8447°
A Shiva temple on an island in the Mahanadi about 27 km from Cuttack, raised in the 10th century under the Somavamshi king Yayati Keshari and later repaired by the rulers of Athgarh. It is reached by boat or by Odisha's first hanging footbridge, and draws crowds at Shivaratri and the Bada-osha fair.
What follows is the temple’s own traditional account, transmitted through liturgy and local memory. It is recorded here as tradition, not as attested history.
The name is explained by a tale in which Shiva turned a black calf white to shield a thief who had taken refuge with him, dhabala meaning white.
coordinates: wikipedia-2026-08-27 · sources retrieved 2026-08-26 · dynasty page: Somavamshi
Answers only from cited records
Opening the line…