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Odisha Kichakeswari Temple
Situated around 205 kms from Balasore and 155 kms from Baripada in Mayurbhanj district, Kichakeswari Temple attracts thousands of devotes from every corner of India. In fact, overseas pilgrims also visit the temple in order to seek divine blessings. The biggest temple of the city is devoted to deity Kichakeswari, family deity of ruling emperors of Mayurbhanj. The deity Kiscakeshwari was not just ishtadevata of Bhanj Empire but also the state’s goddess. However, the original shrine dates back to 8th Century, with important repairs completed over the centuries.
The main shrine opens to worshippers at 5 am and closes at 10 pm. The temple remains closed between 12 and 3 pm. Kichakeswari Temple is made from top quality chlorite, is architecturally dazzling and well engraved from its outer exterior. Kichakeswari Temple is among the most impressive temples of Kalinga type of architecture. The design of the shrine is modern of the Lingaraj and Brahmeshwara temples of Bhubaneswar. The elevation of the shrine is 100 ft and total area is 1,864 sq feet.
History
The original shrine was made somewhere in 7th or even 8th century and was in terrible shape as the structure had fallen in the grasp of vandals. Nevertheless, the previous and last leader of the state of Mayurbhanj, Maharaja Pratap Bhanj Deo was dejected of its state. The ruler rehabilitated and revamped the temple in 1934 spending an estimated sum of Rs. 85,000. At the same time, he told workers not to disturb original statuettes of Parasvadevatas, Chaitya curves, the passionate lovers, impressive scroll works and unique arabesques, which can be easily noticed in original parts of the temple. Kichakeswari Temple is made from black chlorite which actually faces towards eastern side and comprises rekha vimana and rests over a platform of 1.25 meters. The center is single roomed where deity is present and passionately worshipped.
Moreover, the exteriors of shrine are highly ornamented, with splendid sculptors like naga-nagin, navakas, khakharamundi, ganesha and other celestial god and goddess. The enormous pillars carved with Nagin are exceptional heritage of this shrine. In the compound there is an adequately preserved brick construction known as Itamundhi. The temple contains a big ten-armed frightening skeletal representation of Chamunda-Kali with remarkable veins, sunken belly, ribs, wearing a festoon of skulls and presiding over a corpse.
How To Reach
By Air
If worshippers want to reach Kichakeswari Temple quickly by air, then Biju Patnaik Airport is the best alternative. The airport is well connected with New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore and other big metros of India.
By Rail
Travelers can easily reach Kichakeswari Temple by train. Mayurbhanj railway station is well connected with interstate and inter-district trains. Weekly, daily and biweekly trains run to and from Mayurbhanj railway station.
By Road
Worshippers can easily reach Kichakeswari Temple by road as well. Both private and government buses operate on this route. Interstate and inter-district buses also run on this route for the convenience of worshippers.
Significance Of The Temple
During the period of digging by Archaeological Survey of India in 1908 numerous images of goddess and gods where found along with the images of Buddha. The images are adequately preserved in a museum located within the temple premises, which was built by Maharaja Purna Chandra in 1922. The museum has massive excavated statues of Ganesha, Durga, Tara, Parsvanatha, Parvati, Vaishnavi, Ardhanageswar, Nandi, Avalokiteswar, Kartikeya and others.
Weather And Time To Visit
It has been suggested to visit Kichakeswari Temple from October to March as this is the best season for exploration. The weather remains mild and favorable for travelers and worshippers to explore Kichakeswari Temple. You should not visit the temple during summer season. April to June is generally dry and hot and can be unpleasant for worshippers. Presence of lodges, inns and hotels can easily satisfy all your lodging needs.
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