4 Best Pilgrimage Sites in Orissa (Odisha) (2024)

At a distance of 36 km from Konark, 58 km from Bhubaneswar, 82 km from Cuttack, 390 km from Rourkela, 407 km from Jamshedpur, 434 km from Vizag, 495 km from Kolkata, and 522 km from Ranchi, Puri is an ancient temple town situated along the coast of Bay of Bengal in Odisha. Puri is one of the places of original holy Char Dham Yatra of Hinduism and also one of the top places to experience Odisha Tourism.

Earlier called as ShriKhetra, Purushottama Khetra, and Jagannath Puri, Puri is home to the world famous Sri Jagannath Temple. Often referred as the spiritual capital of Odisha, Puri forms the Golden Triangle of Orissa along with Konark and Bhubaneswar. Puri became an important center of pilgrimage with the arrival of Gangas in the 12th century and emerged as one of the centers of Vaishnavism. Anantavarman Chodaganga, one of the powerful rulers of Puri, established the Purushottama Temple and later came to be known as the Jagannath Temple in the 15th century.

According to history, Puri and the Jagannath Temple were invaded 18 times by Hindu and Muslim rulers from 4th century AD till the early 19th century. Puri was declared as the capital of Odisha under the British till 1816 CE. In 1828 CE the whole territory was separated into three regions, Katak, Balasore, and Jagannath Puri. In 1936 CE Odisha was divided from the state of Bihar and Puri was formed in 1948 CE.

Dedicated Lord Vishnu, Lord Jagannath Temple is one of the prime places to visit in Puri and is a ...

At a distance of 27 km from Konark, Varahi or Barahi Temple is an ancient temple situated at Chaurasi near Konark in Puri district of Odisha. Situated on the banks of Prachi River, it is one of the best places to visit near Konark.

The temple is dedicated to Goddess Varahi. This temple was built in the first quarter of 10th century AD during Somavamsi rule. Locally known as Matsya Varahi, the presiding deity Goddess Varahi sits in lalitasana on a plain platform with her right foot resting on the buffalo mount carved on the pedestal. She is presented as the pot-bellied goddess with the face of a boar. She has two arms and holds a fish in her right hand and a bowl in her left hand. A third eye is tightly engraved into her forehead. Here Barahi is worshipped in accordance with the tantric rituals. Goddess Varahi is offered fish every day.

The Varahi Temple has marvelous architecture and is the most beautiful monument in the Prachi Valley. The temple is east facing and built with sand stone. Spreading over about 2 acres of land, this temple presents a pancharatha type both in plan and construction. The temple is built on a platform devoid of decorations, though the outer walls have elaborate carvings. The shrine is unusually rectangular in shape and the Shikara is a form in the evolution of Kharkhara style, wherein a semi-cylindrical ridge crowns it. A beautiful statue of Lord Surya is installed in the niche. It has a two tiered hipped roof and has 2 latticed windows ...

At a distance of 21 km from Konark, Maa Mangala Temple is a Hindu temple situated at Kakatpur in Puri district of Odisha. Also known as 'Sarba Mangala Mandir' and 'Bata Mangala Temple', it is one of the most renowned Shakti Peethas in Odisha and also one of the famous places to visit in Konark.

Goddess Mangala is the presiding deity of this temple. Built in 15th century, the temple is a symbol of the ancient heritage of Kalinga. According to legend, the Goddess Mangala kept herself hidden under the waters of the River Prachi. One day a boatman was unable to cross the river in full spate when Maa Mangala told him in a dream to recover her from the middle of the river and establish her in the village of Mangalapur. He dived and recovered goddess idol and built the temple. Later, the boatman saw a crow dive into the exact spot in the river from where the deity was recovered but the crow never came out. In local Oriya language 'Crow' means 'Kaka' and 'Detained' means 'Atka'. Thus the place is called as Kakatpur.

Built in typical Kalinga style, it is a major pilgrimage for devotees of Shakti cult. Pilgrims visit frequently to the temple to get the blessings from Maa Mangala. There is a bed made of solid stone on which it is said Maa Mangala rests after touring the entire universe every day. The bed looks worn out in just the same way it would if it were in use for centuries.

Kakatpur Mangala Temple has a close relation with Lord Jagannath temple of Puri during ...

At a distance of 22 km from Puri, Alarnatha Temple is an ancient temple located in Brahmagiri near Puri. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, this is one of the famous temples of Lord Vishnu in Odisha and also one of the must visit places in Puri.

The present temple of Lord Alarnatha is said to be two hundred years older than the Jagannatha Temple in Puri. The temple is not a big tourist destination but a famous religious place for all Krishna devotees. Legend says that Lord Brahma came and worshipped Lord Vishnu here on top of a hill. According to history, the rulers of Alwar in Rajasthan had established the temple here. The temple was later known as Alwarnath or Alarnath.

The temple is associated with the visit of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu to Orissa. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu during his stay in Puri used to see Lord Jagannath daily. During Anavasara period when Lord and his siblings were taken to the secret chamber for 15 days, he was unable to see his dear Lord. So as per the legend lord directed him to go to Brahmagiri and visit Alarnath temple. It is believed that those who cannot worship Lord Jagannath during Anavasara period can get the blessings of the deity if they visit the Alarnath temple. During this time every year thousands of devotees visit Alarnath Temple to get the blessings of Lord Alarnath.

Lord Vishnu is worshiped here as Alarnath with four hands holding shankha, chakra, gada, and padma. Lord Vishnu's carrier Garuda kneels at the feet of the deity with his ...