41 Hindu Temples to Explore in Odisha

Bhubaneswar the temple city of India is the capital of Orissa. It is believed that there were about 7000 temples in Ekamra Vana of Bhubaneswar . Reminiscence of the days of yore dating back to the 6th century.Satrughaneswar and laxamaneswar temple to the gigantic Lingaraj temple of the 11th century are available in the old township .Centuries of temple building activity continued well in to the 12th and 13th century in the shape of Anant Basudev temple on the southeast of the Bindu Sarovar Tank

It is one of the eight most famous Shakta shrines of Odisha. In Hindu culture, 'Maa Sarala' is a Goddess who acts as a patron of the followers of Vaishnav and Shakta.The current temple is approximately 500 years old, and was built by the Raja of Manijanga. The remnants of the old temple are not visible, but folklore suggests that it was sited at Badasarol.

Shree jagannath Temple, Puri is an important Hindu temple dedicated to lord jagannath. The temple is an important pilgrimage destination. The present temple was rebuilt from the 10th century onwards, on the site of an earlier temple, and begun by King Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva.

This is a collection of eight Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The legend says that Ashta Sambhu cured once the ancient king from a fatal disease. As per the legend, the Shivalingams here are ones that were captured when the kings defeated opposing kingdoms. The temple was constructed in the 10th century AD. Dhenekal, the town in which the temple is situated currently, had the capital of Kualo or Karmula in the earlier days.

Akhandalamani Temple is the abode of Lord Shiva. The chief interest of the place is its Akhandalamanilegendary history for which it shares a significant position in the tourism of Bhadrak. As the history runs, king Niladri Samara Singha Mohapatra started worshipping the God Akhandalamani some 350 years ago, when the black glazed granite stone was found underground and the king dreamt of the god.

Shri Baldev Jew temple situated in Ichhapur, 5kms from Kendrapara Town. Here one can see the beautiful temple with other small temples in its side exhibiting the architectural marvel of the ancient Odisha. Lord Baladev is the main deity worshipped in the temple along with his brother and sister. An idol representing Tulasi as Goddess in a seated position is also present after the sacred seven steps.

Chandaneswar is an acclaimed religious and cultural site of North Odisha which is famous for Lord Shiva temple. Chadak Mela is an important festival of this holy shrine. During Chadak Mela(month of April) and Shivarati lakhs of pilgrims, devotees of Odisha , West Bengal, Bihar and other places of India visit place to pay obeisance to Lord Chandaneswar.

Chausathi Jogini Temple is situated in a hamlet called Hirapur. The temple is believed to be built by the Queen Hiradevi of Bramha dynasty during the 9th century. It's built in a circular fashion, completely put together with blocks of Sandstone. The inside of the circular wall has cavities, each housing the statue of a Goddess. There are around 56 such idols, made of black granite, inscribed within the wall cavities, centring on the main idol which is the Goddess Kali.

Deulajhari is the ancient citadel of Shaivisam. This attractive place is having 24 acres (9.7 ha) and 55 decimals of land and covered with indigenous- pandanus forest(kiabana). It is mainly famous for hot spring and a very old ancient Shiva Shree Siddeswar Baba temple. There are 24 hot springs around the temple although temple records say that once there were 84 such hot water springs.

Dhauli Giri is the site, on whose plains Kalinga War was fought. Adorned with a rock edict erected by the great emperor Ashoka of Maurya Dynasty, the hills are located on the banks of the Daya River. Seeing the Daya River that had turned to red by the Kalingan martyrs, Ashoka renounced war and embraced Buddhism. The bloodshed led Ashoka to change his mind, after which he laid down the weapons of violence and accepted a life of Ahimsa in the form of Buddhism.

Gonasika Temple is surrounded by picturesque green valleys and up rolling hills of varying colour is famous for pilgrimage centre. The famous temple of Brahmeswar Mahadev is established by the side of river Baitarni by Creator Brahma himself . Perennial river Baitarni is originated here through two nostrils of a cow. As a strange to tourists, the river soon goes underground and re-emerges to be collected inside Brahma Kunda for which it is known as Guptaganga.

This is a Hindu temple in Odisha. baba Goraknath is the follower of Matsyendranath, the founder of the Nath tradition. It is a popular place in Jagatsinghpur and is said that Baba Gorak Nath has performed meditation in this place.

It is a pilgrim site situated in the Koraput district of Odisha. A limestone cave is there and its main attraction is the gigantic Shivalinga which is said to be increasing in size. Pilgrims from all over the country come here during the Sravana period because the yearly Bol Bam yatra is held at this place. Devotees walk to the Gupteshwar during Bol Bam yatra to bath in the maha kund, and then chant near the Shiva Linga.

This is a hanuman temple located in the Koraput district. There is a huge Hanuman idol there. This is the main devotee location of the Koraput district.

Harishankar, a place of pilgrimage with uncommon scenic charms. 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 a ideal place for the heat of the summer season.

Jagannath Temple at Balgopalpur in Balasore, district of Odisha, India by Emami Paper Mills. Lord Jagannath is above caste, creed and religion.The temple is seventy-eight feet high scintillating shrine and it has been constructed on a three acres of land on the premises of Balasore town Balgopalpur-based Emami Paper Mill.The temple claimed to be a replica of the Puri Jagannath Temple also bears the world-renowned Black Pagoda Konark Sun Temple's tinge with sixteen Konark Wheels .

Jagannath Temple is situated on the banks of the river Mandakini. Built by Shri Uddhab Narandra in 1363, this 90 ft tall, exquisite temple enshrines three images of 5 ft inch each. The temple follows the same rituals as that of Puri. The temple premises offer breathtaking views of the Mainaka and Dhanya range of mountains. There is a fascinating story behind the installation of this temple. Shri Uddhab Narandra, the erstwhile ruler of Ranapur, was an ardent devotee of Lord Jagannath of Puri.

This is a famous Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva in the district of Kandhamal.

Khirachora Gopinatha Temple is situated in Remuna. It is a little town located 9 km east of Balasore, about halfway between Howrah and Bhubaneswar in Orissa . The name Remuna is resulting from the word Ramaniya which means very good looking.

Dedicated to the Hindu Sun God Surya, what remains of the temple complex has the appearance of a 100-foot (30 m) high chariot with immense wheels and horses, all carved from stone. Once over 200 feet (61 m) high, much of the temple is now in ruins. The structures and elements that have survived are famed for their intricate artwork, iconography, and themes, including erotic kama and mithuna scenes.