Youtube Link: https://youtu.be/3QNTOSV1FyE
Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahavinayak_Temple
https://odishatour.in/mahavinayak-temple-chandikhol-jajpur/
Location:
“Mahavinayak
Temple, Chandikhol, Darpangarh, Odisha 755044”
“ଚଣ୍ଡୀ ମନ୍ଦିର
Chandi Mandir, P33X+252, Chandikhol, Darpangarh, Odisha 755044”
Mahavinayak Temple is a major pilgrimage center in
Chandikhole in Jajpur district in the Indian state of Odisha. It is one of the
oldest Ganesha temples in the state. Five gods - Shiva, Vishnu, Durga, Surya
and Ganesha - are worshiped as one deity in a single Garbhagriha or sanctum
sanctorum there. The temple is situated on a hill inside the Mahavinayak
Reserved Forest and is around 55 KMs from Jajpur and 45 KMs from cuttack. A
beautiful stream flows from the top of the Mahavinayak temple which is another
major tourist attraction.
Because five gods are worshiped as one deity in the
temple, there is no pahada in there. Normally, Hindu temples close after
pahada, which is sleeping time for the gods.
The first adjoining foothill base hosts the temple of
Goddess Chandi, and in the second foothill base is the temple of Mahavinayak.
Both have perennial springs (Golden Spring) with pucca swimming ponds
for bathing. In the middle of the hill, just above the Mahavinayak Temple, is
another temple dedicated to Maa Banadurga.
History
of the temple
The Mahavinayaka temple was constructed under the
Keshari dynasty of Odisha in the 12th century. The goddess Rati, the
wife of Kamadeva,
is worshiped there for her devotion that led to the release of her husband from
the curse of the god Shiva. The
current structure of the temple is restored and not the original one. The
temple is a paradise for Hindu iconography lovers with iconographies of various
Hindu gods and goddesses, dwarpalas, warriors, damsels and many others.
Architecture:
The temple follows a typical Kalinga style
architecture with a Rekha vimana and a pidha antarala and jagamohana.
Legends:
Legend
1: While
she was praying to Ganesha, five hands simultaneously stretched out toward her to
receive her offering, putting her in a dilemma. She then prayed to Bramha who
clarified that the five gods, Ganesh, Sun, Vishnu,
Shiva and Durga, were pleased with her prayer and simultaneously stretched
their hands to receive her offering. Kamadeva was released thereafter, and that
day a large granite stone emerged from the earth, containing the divine power
of the five gods.
Legend
2: The
Baruna hill area was the capital of Yudhisthira.
From this place, he left for heaven by handing the royal charges of his empire
to a teli (an oilman whom he saw first before dawn) who later became
the king. His palace was named Teligarh and the remains of his palace can still
be seen on the opposite side of the temple. During the Mahabharat battle,
mother Kunti also offered Golden Champa flower to Lord Shiva from this place
for the victory of her sons.
It is also said that the detached head of Lord Ganesh
fell at this location.
Major
Festivals:
·
Shiva Ratri
·
Makar Sankranti
·
Raja Sankranti
·
Ganesh Puja
Nearest sightseeing spot from Mahavinayaka Temple:
1) Temples
in and around Jajpur like Biraja Maa temple, Jagannatha Temple, Yajna varaha
temple, Siddheshwara temple
2) Chhatia
Bata Jagannath Temple, (30 KMs from Cuttack)
3) Udayagiri,
Ratnagiri, Lalitagiri and Langudi Hills
4) Chandi
temple, Chandikhol
5) Ashokjhar
Waterfall, Sukinda
Timings:
Everyday 6 am to 8 pm
How
to Reach:
By Road: Nearest bus stand is Chandikhol around 6 KMs
from the temple site. Self-drive is the best way to reach the site if you are
staying in Jajpur or Cuttack or Bhubaneshwar. Hired cabs can be taken from
Jajpur (around 39 KMs) or Bhubaneshwar (64 KMs) or Cuttack (around 47 KMs).
By Rail: Nearest railway station is Dhanmandal railway station
(around 2 KMs)
By Air: Nearest airport is Bhubaneshwar (around 71
KMs)
Parking
and Photography
Dedicated parking is available at the site. There is
no problem at all.
There is no restriction to photography. Being in a
forest area, there are lot of monkeys around in the parking area. So be careful
with whatever you do. Try to use the Drone from the parking area and be careful
of the trees. I did not use the drone, but I don’t think there is any
restriction. Use Drone from a distance. Since the flight restriction was 15
meters then, so I couldn’t use it.
Staying
options
Jajpur and Cuttack are the nearest cities where good
stay options are available. Depending on the travel plan of visiting locations
either Cuttack or Jajpur can be selected as stay options. Both Cuttack and
Jajpur has many places to visit around. We stayed at Jajpur and can recommend
Hotel Mirabel at Byasanagar, which is a very good hotel for stay at a very
descent rate. Check the prices online for the lowest price and then negotiate
at hotel for over the counter booking.