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.

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Samaleswari Temple (Maa Samalei) of Sambalpur

About the Temple

Samaleswari Temple dedicated to Goddess Samaleswari, popularly known as Samalei Maa is the presiding deity of Sambalpur. Samaleswari Pitha is considered as one of the most powerful force in the Western Odisha as well as neighbor Chhattisgarh. The temple is an ancient one situated on the river bank of Mahanadi.

There are many legends about the place, which can be heard from the local people or the worshippers. The temple was actually built by King Balaram Dev of Chowhan Dynasty under a Simuli Tree sometime in the middle of 16^th Century AD. But the temple was rebuilt by the 7^th Independent King of Sambalpur Chhatra Sai Deo sometime in between 1657 to 1665 AD. As the temple was built under a Simuli Tree, so the Goddess was named as Samalei.

Temple Architecture

The Temple is built by a kind of stone similar to Granite but not actually Granite. The temple has two parts. One is larger part known as Badagudi, where the idol of Goddess exists and other part is Sanagudi or Mandap, where one can found the idol of Lord Ganesh and others.  The idol of Maa Samalei consists a block of Granite Rock designed and ornamented in a perfect manner to give it the shape of a face. The outer wall of the temple consists of the idols of eleven other goddesses. Apart from the main Goddess, Pitabali, the God of Kondhas is also worshipped in this temple.

Festivals Celebrated

A number of festivals are organized here with great enthusiasm throughout the year. Among them the Navaratri or Dusshera and Nuakhai are the most prominent ones, which observed with great splendor and devotion.

How to Reach the Temple and Accommodation Facilities

Sambalpur is 320 Km away from State Capital of Odisha, Bhubaneswar. It is well connected both by Rail as well as bus to almost all important places of India.

It has train links to New Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Ahmadabad, Mumbai and Bokaro via Jharsuguda Junction.

NH-06 connecting Mumbai and Kolkata passes through Sambalpur. Sambalpur is connected to Cuttack via NH-42. Uninterrupted Bus facilities are available from Bhubaneswar and Cuttack to reach this place.

The Nearest airport is Raipur Airport which is 270 Km away.

Accommodation facilities in the form of Guest House, Hotels and Dharmashalas are available here to provide shelter to the pilgrims.

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Jagannath Temple of Koraput-Sabara Srikshetra

About Sabara Srikshetra

The Jagannath Temple of Koraput  popularly known as Sabara Srikshetra of Odisha is situated in the Koraput Dist. It is one of the famous pilgrimage cum tourist place of Koraput. An valid effort has been made to modelise the temple as that of Puri. Situated in a small hilltop and the scenery around it attracts many passers-by to have a glance at it.

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Siddha Bhairabi Temple

About Siddha Bhairavi

Siddha Bhairavi temple named after Goddess Bhairavi is situated in Mantridi, a remote village near Berhampur of Ganjam Dist. Goddess Bhairavi, the incarnation of Goddess parvati is known as one of the oldest and famous Shakti Pitha of India. It is alleged that King Purussotam Dev worshipped Goddess Bhairavi before his Kanchi Expedition in 15th Century AD.

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Dhauligiri- The Peace Pagoda

About Dhauligiri- The Peace Pagoda

Shanti Stupa or Dhauligiri  popularly known as the Peace pagoda is situated on the river banks of Daya. The place is very important in the historical point of view.  It reminds us the great Kalinga War fought in 261 B.C., the heroics of Kalinga people and the conversion of Asoka to Dharmasoka. Dhauligiri represents the victory of non-violence over violence.  It teaches us the power of non-violence. Large number of visitors visit here to see the Rock Edicts of Asoka.

Shanti Stupa and main attractions of the place

The main attraction of the place is Shanti Stupa, the White Tomb. Colored White, it represents the peace, hence rightly named as Peace Pagoda.  This monument was built by the Kalinga Nippon Buddha Sangha in combination with Japanese Buddhist Sangha in 1971-72. The Tomb is adorned with the statues of Goutam Buddha in four directions in four difference postures. Information regarding Kalinga War is inscribed on the walls of the Shanti Stupa in the form of images. Four pairs of Lions are stationed in the four directions of the monument.

It is the Rock Edict of Asoka which attracts much more travelers apart from the pagoda. The entire Rock Edict of Dhauligiri contains edicts I-X and XIV. The entire rock edict is divided into three columns. The edicts were composed in Brahmi Script and used prakit language. One can also found a Stone Carved Elephant and a Stupa near the Edict.

Apart from the Shanti Stupa and Rock edict one can also found some enormous temples  and they are Dhaveleswar Temple, Bahirangeswar Temple, Shiva Temple and Ganesh Temple.

How to Reach the Place

The place Dhauligiri is 8 Km away from Bhubaneswar. Regular bus and Taxi services are available from Bhubaneswar.

The nearest railway station is Bhubaneswar Railway Station.

As Bhubaneswar is the state capital of Odisha, it is connected to each and every place both by bus and train. Hence, it can be reached very easily.

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Kapilash Shiv Temple

About Kapilash of Dhenkanal

The Peak of Kapilash very popularly known as Kailash of Odisha is famous for the Shiva Temple. Lord Chandrasekhar is the presiding deity here. The temple of Lord Chandrasekhar was built by Narasingha Dev-I of Ganga Dynasty in 1246 AD as indicated in the temple inscription.  The temple is situated at a height about 2239 feet from the sea level.  

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Lingaraj Temple

About Lingaraj Temple

As the name suggests Lingaraj is King of Siva Lingam. Lord Shiva is worshipped here in the name of Tribhubaneswar and his concert as Bhubaneswari Devi. As per History, It was built by Jajati Keshari-II, the great king of Keshari or Soma Dynasty.  It is the tallest temple of the Temple City,Bhubaneswar. 

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Nrusinghanath Temple

About Nrusinghanath Temple

The Nursinghanath is another beautiful and holy place of Odisha is situated at the slope of Gandhamardan hill of Bolangir Dist. Presence of a couple of Perennial Streams and some sculptures with peaceful atmosphere and natural sceneries makes the place a popular and worthy pilgrimage place.

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Hari Shankar Temple

About HariShankar

As the name depicts itself, the place is meant for Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. Both Shiva and Vishnu  are the presiding deity here apart from other god and goddesses. It is situated in the district of Bolangir of Odisha and in the slopes of beautiful Gandhamardan Hills. Apart from the two lords, the place is also famous for its Natural Beauty. The presence of beautiful fountain, greenery and Mountain makes it a famous picnic spot  of Bolangir Dist. and Odisha as a whole.

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Sun Temple Konark-The Black Pagoda

About Konark

The Sun Temple, Konark was built in the meeting place of Chandrabhaga river and Bay of Bengal in the 13^th Century AD by the king of Ganga Dynasty Narasingha Dev-I (Popularly known as Langula Narasingha Dev). It is situated in a small village Konark (named after the temple)in Puri District of Odisha, India. Lord Sun is the presiding deity here. The temple is a certified World Heritage Site. Konark is popularly known as Black Pagoda, as it was built by using black granite stones. The flawless architecture, gentle undulating topography natural surroundings attracts many tourists from India as well as abroad towards this place. It is one of the most lovable historical sites of India to experience the beauty of ancient art and culture.

Architecture of the Temple

The temple is built in the shape of a chariot. It depicts the excellent stone carving skills of ancient Odisha architectures. The architecture of the temple is designed in such a manner that it looks like a huge chariot driven by seven spirited horses on twelve pairs of elegantly designed wheels. The main entrance of the temple is guarded by two lions. The most part of the temple is filled with the sculptures like Women in dancing pose, Animals, couples in amorous poses etc. It is alleged from the survey that Magnetic Technology was used to construct the whole temple. The temple is placed in such a manner that the first ray of the rising sun fall on the coast would pass through the temple. It is alleged that there was a load stone at the top of the temple (Known as Dhadi Nauti) which was the reason for the balance of the whole temple. But it is missing now. There is much folklore regarding the removal of the loadstone. At present the temple is in a half-ruin stage.

At the entrance of the temple there is a Nrutya Mandap (Nata Mandir). Besides the main temple, there is another temple dedicated to Naba-Grahas (Nine planets).The complete temple is surrounded with botanical gardens and parks which enhances its beauty.

How To Reach the place

Konark can be reached by road, rail and air.

Nearest Railway Station is Bhubaneswar Railway Station which is 65KM away and Puri is 35KM away in Marine Drive.

By Road Konark is 85 KM away from Puri via Pipli . 35KM in the Marine Drive. State Capital, Bhubaneswar is 65KM away by road from Konark. Continuous vehicle services are available from both Bhubaneswar and Puri  to Konark.

The nearest Airport is Bhubaneswar Airport. Indian Airlines flights are available from all major cities of India like Delhi, Kolkata, Vizag, Nagpur, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Chennai.

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MahuriKalua Temple- A Picnic Spot

About the Temple

Mahuri Kalua Temple is one of the important Visiting cum Picnic spots of the Southern part of Odisha. It is situated near Berhampur of Ganjam Dist. The place is named after the Goddess Mahuri Kalua, the prime deity of King of Mahuri. Presence of Dense forest and Hills makes the place more interesting for visitors.

There is an interesting story is associated with this place. The Goddess was established inside a Cave situated at the Hill Top where nobody can reach except the King and his Family. As alleged by the local people, the King of Mahuri was presented with a special sword by the Goddess, that protected him from every danger. But one day the King lost the sword and was defeated by the Britishers. And after wards, the Goddess was worshipped by a Sabara on request of the King. The Sabara established the deity at the feet of the Hill, where everyone can access.

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Tara Tarini Holy Shrine Shakti Pitha

About Tara Tarini Hill Shrine

Tara Tarini Shakti Pitha is one of the famous Sakti Pitha situated on the top of the Purnagiri (Kumari) Hill on the south bank of river Rushikulya in Ganjam District of Odisha. The Pitha is named after twin Goddess Tara & Tarini, who are worshipped here as sign of Adi Sakti. It is the oldest pilgrimage centre and one among the four major Shakti Pitha of India. Goddess Tara Tarini is the presiding deity of most of the houses in south Odisha.

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