HUMA TEMPLE, ODISHA
The Huma Temple, famously known as the Leaning Temple of Huma, is one of the most remarkable and spiritually significant temples of Odisha. Located on the tranquil banks of the Mahanadi River near Sambalpur, this ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, worshipped as Lord Bimaleswar (Vimaleswara), stands out for its mysterious lean and the rich legends associated with its origin.
Origin and Discovery of the Temple
The discovery of the sacred shrine at Huma is closely linked with a popular legend that reflects divine intervention through nature.
According to local tradition, villagers once noticed that a cow returned home every day without milk, despite being healthy. Curious, the owner followed the cow and observed a miraculous sight. The cow stopped at a particular spot near the riverbank and poured its milk on a stone lying on the ground, as if offering it in worship.
When villagers dug the spot, they discovered a Shiva Lingam buried beneath the earth. Realising the place to be divinely blessed, devotees installed the Lingam and gradually constructed a temple at that very site. The deity came to be worshipped as Lord Bimaleswar, marking the sacred origin of the Huma Temple.
Historical Background
Historically, the present structure of the Huma Temple is believed to date back to the 16th–17th century CE, during the rule of the Chauhan dynasty of Sambalpur. The temple is commonly associated with King Baliar Singh, a devout follower of Lord Shiva, who is believed to have patronised and strengthened the shrine.
Built in the traditional Kalinga style of Odishan temple architecture, the Huma Temple is unique because the main sanctum, along with other structures in the complex, leans noticeably to one side. Though various scientific explanations have been suggested—such as soil conditions and riverbank foundations—the temple has remained stable for centuries, adding to its mystery.
Mythology and Local Legends
Mythology deeply influences the religious practices of the Huma Temple.
The Sacred Cow Legend
The story of the cow offering milk symbolises purity, devotion, and divine guidance. It reinforces the belief that sacred places reveal themselves when faith and innocence align with divine will.
The Legend of the Sacred Fish and the Stone Woman
Another powerful legend explains the sanctity of the fish found in the nearby waters of the Mahanadi River. According to folklore, a woman once attempted to catch and cut a fish from the river near the temple. Since the fish were considered sacred and protected by Lord Shiva, her act was seen as sacrilege.
It is believed that the woman was instantly turned into stone as divine punishment. Her stone figure is said to have existed near the temple, serving as a warning and reinforcing the belief that no harm should be done to the sacred fish. Even today, devotees feed these fish as an act of reverence.
Location
Village: Huma
District: Sambalpur
State: Odisha
Distance: Approximately 23 km south of Sambalpur town
The temple is located on the left bank of the Mahanadi River, surrounded by natural beauty and a peaceful atmosphere. Sambalpur is well connected by road and rail, while Jharsuguda Airport is the nearest airport.
Religious and Cultural Importance
Major Shaivite Centre: Huma Temple is a prominent pilgrimage site for devotees of Lord Shiva in western Odisha.
Maha Shivaratri Celebrations: The temple witnesses a huge influx of devotees during Maha Shivaratri, marked by special rituals and fairs.
Architectural Wonder: Its leaning structure makes it one of the rare leaning temples in the world.
Living Traditions: The sacred fish, legends, and rituals continue to shape the cultural life of the region.
Symbol of Faith: Despite its tilt, the temple stands strong, symbolising the endurance of faith over time.
Science Behind the Leaning of Huma Temple
The leaning nature of the Huma Temple has intrigued historians, architects, engineers, and scientists for centuries. While devotees view the tilt as a divine mystery, scholars have proposed several scientific and architectural explanations to understand this unique phenomenon.
1. Soil and Foundation Near the Riverbank
The most widely accepted scientific explanation relates to the soil condition of the Mahanadi riverbank.
The temple is built on alluvial soil, which is soft and prone to gradual settlement.
Over time, uneven settling of the foundation may have caused the structure to tilt in a particular direction.
Since the river flows nearby, erosion and moisture variation could have contributed to differential sinking of the base.
Interestingly, instead of collapsing, the temple stabilised at a fixed angle, suggesting slow and uniform settlement over centuries.
2. Intentional Architectural Design (A Controlled Lean)
Some scholars believe that the leaning may have been intentionally incorporated during construction.
The builders might have designed the temple with a slight inclination to counteract river pressure, soil movement, or seismic activity.
The temple follows the Kalinga style, where precise stone balancing was common.
The fact that smaller shrines and pillars within the complex also lean in the same direction supports the idea of a planned or controlled tilt rather than accidental damage.
However, there is no written inscription to conclusively prove this theory.
3. Interlocking Stone Technique
The stability of the leaning temple is also attributed to the advanced stone construction techniques used by ancient Indian architects.
Stones were cut with precision and fitted without cement.
The interlocking method allowed the structure to adjust naturally to ground movement without cracking.
This technique distributed weight evenly, preventing collapse despite the lean.
This reflects the high level of engineering knowledge possessed by temple builders of medieval Odisha.
4. Centre of Gravity and Structural Balance
From a physics perspective, the temple remains standing because its centre of gravity still falls within its base.
As long as the centre of gravity remains inside the foundation area, a structure can remain stable—even if tilted.
The gradual nature of the lean allowed the structure to find a new equilibrium, preventing sudden failure.
This explains why the temple has survived earthquakes, floods, and centuries of natural wear.
Faith and Science Together
While science explains how the Huma Temple leans and remains stable, faith explains why it matters to people. For devotees, the lean is not a defect but a sign that divine power transcends human logic.
Thus, the Huma Temple stands as a rare example where ancient engineering skill and spiritual belief coexist, reminding us that India’s heritage blends science with sacred tradition.
Huma Temple and Natural Calamities
Being located on the bank of the Mahanadi River, the Huma Temple has been naturally exposed to floods, strong river currents, and seasonal erosion for centuries.
Floods of the Mahanadi
The Mahanadi is a flood-prone river, especially during the monsoon season.
Over the years, the river has overflowed several times, and floodwaters have reached the temple premises on multiple occasions.
During severe monsoons, the surrounding areas of Huma village have been submerged, affecting access to the temple.
Despite this, the main shrine has never collapsed or suffered major structural damage.
Effect of Floods on the Temple Structure
Floodwaters may have contributed to soil movement and uneven settlement, which is believed to be one of the reasons behind the temple’s lean.
Continuous erosion and deposition of alluvial soil around the foundation likely caused gradual changes rather than sudden damage.
Importantly, the lean appears to have stabilised long ago and has not increased noticeably in recent times.
Other Natural Challenges
Apart from floods, the temple has also endured:
Earth tremors common to the eastern Indian region
Heat, humidity, and heavy rainfall
Riverbank erosion over long periods
Yet, the temple’s interlocking stone construction and balanced weight distribution have helped it withstand these challenges without visible cracks or collapse.
Why the Temple Survived
The survival of the Huma Temple through natural calamities is attributed to:
Gradual, slow soil settlement, not sudden shifts
Advanced ancient engineering techniques
A stable centre of gravity, even in its leaning state
For devotees, this endurance is seen as divine protection, while for engineers and historians, it is a testimony to India’s traditional architectural wisdom.
Though exposed to floods and natural forces for centuries, the Huma Temple remains standing — leaning yet stable. Its survival through floods of the Mahanadi and other natural challenges makes it not just a spiritual landmark, but also a living lesson in heritage engineering and resilience.
Conclusion
The Huma Temple is a harmonious blend of history, mythology, devotion, and architectural mystery. From the cow that revealed the hidden Shiva Lingam to the legend of the stone woman guarding the sanctity of sacred fish, every aspect of the temple reflects deep-rooted belief and reverence. Standing on the banks of the Mahanadi, the Leaning Temple of Huma continues to inspire awe, faith, and curiosity, making it a priceless spiritual treasure of Odisha.
