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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