Temples and Deities of Odisha (Orissa)
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. From the architectural
point of view, the temple is not so important but from the religious point of
view, it occupies an important position in the cultural history of Odisha.
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. It is believed that the
word Lokanatha is a later innovation from the original word Laukanatha.
Alarnath Temple
Located in Brahmagiri, The Alarnath Temple is a revered shrine dedicated to
Lord Vishnu or Lord Alaranth as he is known locally. The present temple is a
14”-century shrine attributed to Rajputs from Alwar. The Rajputs settled in
Western Odisha between 1300 AD & 1400 AD. The name Alarnath is derived
from Alwarnath. 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. Anavasara is the two weeks period when Lord Jagannathatake rest in
isolation from the rest of the world after suffering from fever due to the
annual bathing festival (SnanaYatra). 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. During this period the
temple servitors offered holy rice porridge, known as ‘Kheer’ in local
language, to the lord.
In this temple Lord Vishnu is worshiped as Lord Alarnath. The deity has four
arms. He holds chakra in his upper right hand, Lotus in his lower right hand,
Conch in his upper left hand and club in his lower left hand. Lord Vishnu’s
carrier eagle, known as Garuda, kneels at the feet of the deity with his hands
folded in prayer position. The deities of Lord Krishna’s queens Rukmini and
Satyabhama are also find inside the temple. Deity of Lord Chaitanya is also
found inside the temple. There is a stone slab in front of the deity which bears
impressions from Lord Chaitanya’s body. There is a lake behind the temple
where ChandanYatra (Sandalwood Festival) is celebrated for 21 days every
year.
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).
There is very popular legend behind the name Sakhigopal. Two brahmins of
Vidyanagar of south India went Brindaban on piligrimage. There the elderly
one fell ill and was attened very sincerely by the younger. The elderly one
promise the other keeping Lord Krishna as witness that on reaching their
native place he would offer his beautiful daughter to the younger in term of
marriage. Unfortunately when both of them reached their native place the
elderly one expressed evasive replies. The younger one was assured that due to
low status of brahmin caste he was misfit for his lovely daughter. Without
delay he again went to brindaban and worshipped Lord Krishna. However in
the long run Krishna agreed but he told that the brahmin would walk ahead
and he would follow him,but the strict instruction was the brahmin should not
look back, otherwise he(Lord Krishna) would remain then and there.Lord
assured that the brahmin would hear the sound of Nupura(sweet sound
producing bracelet used by dancers arroundankel).Lord followed the
brahmin to vidyanagar. On the way they were to cross the river Godavari.Due
to sand the feet of Lord were dipped and no sound from Nupura was
heard.Thebrahmin was too restless and apprehensive to look back.Lord stood
on sand and did not move.Thebrahmin immediately ran to Vidyanagar and
called the local people in good numbers.all were stunned to see the statue of
Lord Krishna of Brindaban.the elderly brahmin repented and attested his
promise by giving his daughter in marriage to the younger one.The local king
developed great devotion and constructed one temple then come there at the
sopt and designated as ‘SAKHIGOPAL’.
Ramachandi Temple
Ramachandi Temple is on a beautiful spot on the banks of the Kusabhadra
River where it flows into the Bay of Bengal. It is only 5 km away from Konark
in the Puri District of Odisha. Ramachandi is popularly believed the presiding
deity of Konark and the most benevolent Chandi known. It is certainly more
ancient than the Sun temple at Konark. From the architectural point of view,
the temple of Ramachandi is not important but from the religious point of
view, it is one of the famous Shakti pithas of Puri. Now the temple has
collapsed leaving remains of its broken walls and the empty throne. There is
no historical evidence to conclude about its presiding deity.
