Odisha, also known as the land of temples, has a rich cultural heritage with an abundance of magnificent temples. A Temple Tour of Odisha typically includes visits to some of the most famous temples in the state. Here are some of the highlights of a Temple Tour of Odisha:
Sri Lokanath Mandir
Sri Lokanath temple is one of the most important Shaiva shrines of Odisha. The temple is situated near the Jagannath temple of Puri. As per local people this temple was established by Lord Ramachandra. The legend says that Lord Rama on his way to Lanka for searching Sita reached Puri. At that time Sabaras(a native of the village) presented him a Lau or Lauka(Pumpkin) looking like a Siva Linga, Lord Rama installed that as the replica of Siva Linga at that place and prayed Siva to fulfill his desire. From that day this Siva Linga was called Laukanatha.
Alarnath Temple
Located in Brahmagiri 20 km from Puri, The Alarnath Temple is a revered shrine dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is believed that those who cannot worship Lord Jagannath during his stay in the sick chamber can get the blessings of the deity if they visit the Alarnath temple. This particular legend has its roots in Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Chaitanya claimed that he visualized the appearance of Lord Jagannath in Lord Alarnath and spent a long period of worshiping the deity here.
Sakhigopal Temple
One of the sacred tourist destinations of Odisha, Sakhigopal is a village of historical importance which is situated 19 km. north of Puri. The name Sakhi Gopal literally means witness Gopal(Srikrishna). The temple of Sakhigopal is 60 ft height & the image of Shri Krishna and Radha is 5 ft & 4ft height respectively. It is surrounded by Sasanas or Brahmins settlements and is the center of trade of coconuts. Anla Navamee is the biggest festival of the center, which attracts a large crowd every year to witness Radha Pada(feet of Goddess Radha).
Rajarani Temple
Rajarani Temple in Bhubaneswar boasts of distinctive charm. It was constructed in the 11th century from reddish and yellow sandstone called Rajarani in the local dialect. Also, the shrine is famous amongst the natives as the Love Temple because of the erotic carvings of couples and women in the sanctum sanctorum. The temple was initially known as Indreswara temple devoted to the worship of Lord Shiva.
Lingaraj Temple
The Lingaraj Temple is an ancient temple situated in the city of Bhubaneswar and is the largest one situated in the city. Dedicated to Lord Shiva as the name suggests, the temple was built in the 7th century by King Jajati Keshari. It is highly revered because of the fact that the Linga here, which is the phallic form of Lord Shiva, is believed to have appeared naturally. It rises to a massive height of 8 inches above the floor level and is about 8 feet in diameter as well.
Harishankar Temple
Sri Harishankar Devasthana, is a temple on the slopes of Gandhamardhan hills, Odisha in India. It is popular for its scenes of nature and connection to two Hindu lords, Vishnu and Shiva.
A perennial stream bursting into droplets rushes on its hard granite bed to form cascades at different stages. As a cool resort in the lap of nature, Harishankar is an ideal place for the heat of the summer season.
Nrusingnath Temple
The Vidala-Nrusinghha Temple stands amidst the verdant beauty of the picturesque Gandhamardan hills. Nrusinghanath is a popular and attractive pilgrim point. Coupled with a series of beautiful waterfalls and some sculptures, its location offers an air of serenity and visual delight, making the trip worthwhile.
It is only 165 km away from Sambalpur. The present temple, situated at the source of the Papaharini stream, is a 14th century structure built on a more very old site. The four pillars within the Jagmohana suggest that the earlier temple was built in the 9th century. The beautiful doorframes have been dated to the 11th century.
Huma’s Leaning Temple
The leaning temple of Huma is located on the banks of river Mahanadi, near a village called Sambalpur in Odisha. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the unique attractions of the state.
There are no facts which can prove it and nor it is a technical construction flaw as Odisha has innumerable temples built during Raja Balaram Deb’s era and he was known to build enormous temples.
64 Yogini Temples(Hirapur)
Chausathi Yogini Temple is situated at Hirapur, near Bhubaneswar. What makes this temple quite unique is that it’s the first 64 Yogini temple in India & from here it spread to other states. And, its the smallest temple among the list of four major surviving 64 Yogini temples in India., The legend behind the temple, according to local priests, is that the Goddess Durga took the form of 64 demi-goddesses to defeat a demon. After the fight the 64 goddesses, equated with yoginis, asked Durga to commemorate them in the form of a temple structure.
Samaleswari Temple
Maa Samaleswari, the presiding deity of Sambalpur, is a strong religious force in the western part of Odisha and Chhattisgarh state of India. On the bank of the river Mahanadi, the mother goddess Samaleswari is worshipped from ancient times as Jagatjanani, Adishakti, Mahalaxmi and Mahasaraswati. The region in which the temple is situated has a rich cultural heritage. Sambalpur region is popularly known as Hirakhanda from ancient times.
Bhagabati Temple
Goddess Bhagabati, the presiding deity of the place Banpur has earned celebrity as a center of religious activities.Once it was the Capital of Sailodhvaba dynasty, responsible for the construction of the early group of temples at Bhubaneswar. The large number of Buddhist images discovered at Banpur relate the place to the Vajrayana cult of Buddhism. The temple of Daksha-Prajapati is a fine specimen of the extraordinary artistic excellence of Odisha art.
Nilamadhaba Temple
It is an ancient and popular Lord Vishnu temple located nearby the banks of River Mahanadi. The temple’s overall complex and structure is quite similar to the famous Lord Jagannath temple.
This temple is a miniature form of the Sri Jagannath Temple at Puri and observes similar rites rituals. One can also find amazing brass and bell metal crafts here, which are lovingly carried by many visitors as souvenirs. A permanent flow of holy water flows from the feet of Lord Nilamadhaba. Lord Siddheswar is also a highlight of this place. Kantilo is one of the most popular picnic spots in Odisha.
Chhatia Bata
Chhatia Bata is one of the famous Hindu Temple of Odisha situated at Chhatia in Jajpur district of Odisha. The deity of this temple is Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra. The main attraction of this Temple is the old Banyan tree which is known as Bata in Odia Language. So the name of this temple is Chhatia Bata due to this old Banyan Tree which is present inside the temple boundary and beside the main temple of Chhatia Bata.
Cuttack Chandi Temple
Dedicated to Goddess Bhuvaneshwari, fourth among the Ten Maha Vidyas, Cuttack Chandi Temple is a remarkable Hindu shrine. It rests on the banks of the River Mahanadi and has an interesting tale associated with it. Chandi Temple is popular for the major festivals of Kali Puja and Durga Puja. The idol of Maa Katak Chandi is placed at the center of the temple. Goddess Chandi has four hands and they are known as Pasa, Ankusha, Abhaya and Bara.
Panchalingeswar Temple
Perched atop of a hillock in Nilagari Hill in the Balasore district, Odisha, Panchalingeswar Temple is a Lord Shiva’s temple which is named after the five lingas of Shiva that are installed inside this shrine. Panchalingeswar Saiva pitha is situated on a hillock with perennial streams falling on five natural Lingas. Its natural beauty attracts nature lovers and visitors. On reaching the top of the hillock, one has to bend down in order to look for the lingas inside a pool created by the waterfall. These lingas are continuously washed by the water of a perennial stream that flows over them.
Khirachora Gopinath Temple
It is famous as the Vaishnav shrine. Also, know as Remuna Gupta Vrindaban. It is surrounded by another famous Khirachora Gopinatha Temple that is situated in Remuna. The name Remuna is resulting from the word Ramaniya which means very good looking.
Kichakeswari Temple
The ancient Kichakeswari Temple is located around 25km away from Karanjia, in the Mayurbhanj district of Odisha. Located near the confluence of the rivers Khairibandhana and Kantakhairi, the temple is one of the unique attractions of the region.
The ancient Kichakeswari Temple is located around 25km away from Karanjia, in the Mayurbhanj district of Odisha. Located near the confluence of the rivers Khairibandhana and Kantakhairi, the temple is one of the unique attractions of the region.
Taratarini Temple
Situated 30 Km away from the Berhampur city, Ganjam district, this temple is recognized to be one of the four major Shakti pitha according to mythological texts of Satya Yuga. The 6000 years of historical connections and also its mention in the Puranas make this temple an important pilgrim spot.
The 6000 years of historical connections and also its mention in the Puranas make this temple an important pilgrim spot.
Jajpur Biraja Temple ( Sakti pitha)
The Biraja Temple, or Birija Kshetra, is a historic Hindu temple located in Jajpur, Odisha, India. The present temple was built during the 13th century. The principal idol is Devi Durga, who is worshiped as Viraja, and the temple gave Jajpur the nicknames “Viraja Kshetra” and “Biraja Peetha..
Ugratara Temple
Ugratara Temple ( Ugratara Temple is located at bhusundpur. It is 80 km from Puri and 35 km from Balugaon.Goddess Durga is worshipped in this temple in the from off Ugratara.The idol mother Tara is chaturbhuja , holding potent weapons in her hands she is very popular as Ugratara and benevolence to the adorers. A scared and religious place surrounded by 12 mountains is maa Ugratara temple.ugratara locally known as taradei )
Manikeswari Temple (bhawanipatna)
Manikeshwari Temple is located in Kalahandi district of Odisha, India. The temple is located to the south of Bhawanipatna. The main deity here is Goddess Manikeshwari. She is the Ishta Devi of Nagavanshi Khyatriya’s. During Dussehra festival, animal sacrifice is offered at this temple.
