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Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Baba Akhandalamani Temple of Aradi, Bhadrak

About the Temple

The Holy Shrine Siva Lingam Baba Akhandalamani is situated in the river bank of Baitarani at Aradi Vilage of Bhadrak District. It is one of the ancient Shaiva Pitha of Odisha and famous as Mani Baba both in Odisha and outside.
No clear history is found regarding the temple and incarnation of Baba Akhandalamani. As per one legend, it was built by the local Zamindar Niladri Samar Singh Mahapatra in 1404 AD after an interesting incident followed by dream. Initially the temple was a wooden structure. The pucca stone temple was actually built by the King of the then Rajkanika State Shri Harihar Bhanja Deo and his queen Satyabhama Patamahadei  on or after 1839 AD. The main hall of the temple was built by sage Shri Narsingha Pratap Kumar. The surrounding wall was built by Sage Shri Darshan Sekhar Das. Now the Govt. has taken many initiatives for the development of the temple into an important tourist and pilgrim place.

Architecture of the Temple

The height of the temple is about 50 ft. The height of the holy shrine Lingam is about 33 inches and the circumference is 45 inches. The circumference of the shakti is around 52 inches. Baba Akhandalamani is the presiding deity here. Apart from Baba, Lord Ganesh, Goddess Parvati, Lord Hanuman, Lord Kartikeswar, Maa Kali etc. are also worshipped here as Parswa Devatas.

Festivals Celebrated

A number of festivals are observed at this shaiva pitha with great enthusiasm throughout the year. The important ones are Pana Sankranti (the Odia new year), Chandan Yatra in the month of Jyestha , Shiva Vivah, Jhulan Yatra,  Kartika Purnima, Maha Shivaratri and Dolyatra. It is one of the liking destination for the Bol-Bom Devotees for offering holy water during the month of Sravana.

Nearby Attractions

The nearby places which can also be an attraction for the tourists who visit here are the amazing Rajkanika Palace built by King Harihar Bhanja, Crocodile Sanctuary at Bhitarkanika, Turtle Sanctuary at Gahiramatha etc.

How to Reach

Bhadrak is well connected both by Bus as well as Train from all important places of India. And Akhandalamani Temple or Aradi is about 41 Km away from Bhadrak town.
Bhadrak town is about 125 Km away from State Capital, Bhubaneswar. Uninterrupted Bus services are available from Bhubaneswar to Bhadrak.  Odisha Tourism Dept. has started special tourist bus services from BBSR to Aaradi very recently. From Bhadrak Town bus facilities, taxi and Auto-rikshaw facilities are available to reach Aaradi.
The nearest railway station is Bhadrak Railway Station, which is 42 Km away from Aaradi.
Aaradi can also be reached from Chandabali by boat through river Baitarani. From Ferry Ghat of Chandabali , it is hardly two hours away by Boat.