Bhubaneswar, Feb. 15 -- The Paradeswar Temple in Dharamgarh in Kalahandi district of Odisha continues to draw large numbers of devotees, with its 52 kg mercury Shivling remaining the focal point of attraction.

The temple, dedicated to Baba Paradeswar, gained prominence for housing what is recognised as the third Shivling of its kind in the world.

Devotees from within Odisha and from other states visit the shrine to offer prayers and witness the unique mercury idol, which distinguishes the temple from other Shaiva shrines.

The central attraction of the temple is the massive Shivling made entirely of mercury, weighing 52 kg. Mercury is ordinarily a liquid substance, and according to temple sources, it took seven years to solidify it.

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