Youtube Link: https://youtu.be/JZ6xKSrY7Yk
Location: "V84P+8J5, SH 56, Jajpur, Rajpur, Odisha 755035"
References: https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2021/12/jagannath-temple-jajpur-odisha.html
Situated on the banks of Baitarini river’s
Dashashwamedha ghat, is the beautiful and very ancient temple of Jagannatha at
Jajpur. This Temple, has Lord Jagannatha, his brother Balbhadra and sister
Subhadra placed on a high masonry pedestal. The temple was constructed by Ganga
ruler: Anangabhima Deva III between 1212 and 1238 CE. With extensive support
and patronage from Gajapati kings during the 15th century, the
temple was well maintained only to have suffered extensive destruction during
the time of Afghan Chief Suliman Karani in 1568 AD. Maratha king Raghuji
Bhosale did the present construction of the temple in the 18th
century. The monument is under ASI Bhubaneshwar circle.
Location
of Jagannath Temple: “Jagannath Temple, Jajpur, Rajpur, Odisha
755001”
Architecture
Built on Saptaratha plan and Panchangabada on
elevation, the temple is an east facing temple consists of a Rekha vimana,
pidha antarala, and pidha Jagamohana. Both the vimana and the jagamohana are
square on plan and stands on a raised platform. The sanctum houses the idols of
Balabhadra, Jagannatha and Subhadra.
The shrine situated on the north west corner of the
temple complex is the Mukteshvara Shrine. Believed to be built around 14th
century, it houses an 8th century idol of Vishnu, 14th
century idol of Parvati, and idols of Shiva and Vishnu dated from the Maratha
time of around 18th century. The shrine also faces east and is of
Pancharatha on plan and Panchangabada in elevation. The vimana is of Rekha Deul
structure on a square plan. Mukteshvara is a form of Shiva Linga within a
circular yonipitha.
Other temples in front and on the side of the ghat
within 50-100 meters are the Budha Ganesha temple, Saptamatruka temple, the
Jama Ma Sata temple and the Laxmi temple in front.
Iconography
and Vigrahas
All the idols are situated on a high masonry pedestal.
Idols of Ganesha, Vishnu, Parvati, Dhyani Buddha, Nardana Krishna, Mahishasura
Mardini, female figurines, devotees, nayikas, dwarf figures, elephant, doorjamb
fragments and architectural fragments can be seen in the temple premises.
Historically, King Jajati Keshori made a huge Jagyan
(Yajna) in the place.
Dashashwamedha
Ghat
Location:
“Dashaswamedha
Ghata Maa Baitarani Pitha, V84P+8J5, SH 56, Jajpur, Rajpur, Odisha 755035”
The Jagannath temple is situated on the Dashashwamedha
Ghat. I went to the other side of the Baitarini river where there is a school
and an ample space to park the car and open ghats to take photography and use
Drone. One can do that too. Saptamutrika, Vinayaka (Ganehsa), Laxmi,
Jagannatha, Savitri and Shiva temples are situated on this ghat making it a
pure Hindu pilgrimage site. The main attracting time of the ghat is during the
Baruni Snana, which is held every 12 years to see a large number of devotees from
the local and outside the district.
The history of this place says that King Jajati
Kheshori (https://utkrshtabharat.blogspot.com/2025/01/king-jajati-keshari-of-orissa.html )
made a huge yajna in the same place and established the town of Jajpur as the
capital of Somvamshi Kingdom, when the ghat was established for the revival of
Hinduism in this area apart from the various other contributions he did in
entire Orissa. The entire credit for anything at Jajpur goes to the King
himself.
The
various temples around Jagannatha Temple in Jajpur:
1) Main
Varaha Temple
2) Hara-Gouri
Temple
3) Bimala
Temple
4) Kharakhia
Varaha Temple
5) Muktesvara
Temple
6) Other
Shrines which include: a shrine to Surya-god, Kasi Biswanath Temple, Sri
Chaitanya Pada Pitha, Sunya Vedi, and temple of the goddess Chamunda.
7) Yajna
Varaha Temple
8) Siddheshwara
Temple
9) Biraja
Devi Shakti peetha
10) Saptamatruka
temple
Major
Festivals at Jagannath Temple:
1) Ratha
Yatra
2) Nerotsava
(https://utkrshtabharat.blogspot.com/2025/01/festivals-in-india.html
for more details)
3) Shivaratri
4) Kartika
Purnima
5) Janmashtami
Major
Festival at Dashashwamedha Ghat:
1) Baruni
snana
How
to Reach:
By Road: Nearest Bus Station is Jajpur. Local
transports like Autos are available. Self-drive is the best option though. The
temple is around 500 meters from Jajpur bus stand.
By Train: Jajpur Keonjhar Road
By Air: Bhubaneshwar is the nearest Airport (Around
100 KMs)
Parking
and Photograph:
There is no restriction whatsoever in photography. Try
using the drone from the other side of the river. The side of the temple is
congested so might be some trouble.
Dedicated Parking is available but, it’s very
congested. It might be some trouble. Parking is around 10 meter downslide so
check the slots before moving down. No parking attendants are there. If you are
at the other side of the river, there is ample amount of open space for parking
and is a better place for distant photography too
Dashashwamedha
Ghat and Temple Timings:
Monday to Sunday: 6 AM to 8 PM