Youtube Link: https://youtu.be/knYjsocqHU0
Location: "Mallikeswar Mandir, 6RR9+JP4, Padmapur, Odisha 765025"
Padmapur is a village in the Rayagada district of Odisha, India. It is the most populated village and one of the identified tourist centers of the district. A hillock adjoins the village to its northern side. A 7th century inscription found here, in the Nilakantheswar Temple indicates that the Jagamanda hill, located close by, once housed the monastery of the famous Buddhist logician-philosopher Dharmakirti.
Padampur is situated 70
km from Rayagada and 22 km from Gunupur town. It is famous for its natural
beauty and ancient antiquities
This place is
surrounded by hills and forest.There are five shiva temples standing at the top
of the hill ,such as Manikeshwar Temple, Dhabaleswar Temple, Malikeswar
Temple,Nilakhanteswer Temple and Pudukeswer Temple.
A perennial water
reservoir and a cave found on the hill looks very attractive.
A complete visit of
various places at Padampur will require almost 2-3 days of time and stay can be
at Rayagada town. There are a lot of explore including the temples on the
hillocks and tourist spots and there are actually many beautiful tourist spots
to visit. The entire area is very calm, serene and peaceful.
Nearby temples to visit and places of
attraction:
Padampur is seat to
many Hindu temples and tourist places:
1)
7th
century old Neelakantheshwara Temple (a shrine to Shiva) on the top of the hillock adjoining the
village. This temple is also believed to be the Mallikeshwara temple
2)
The temple
of Mallikeshwara at the foot of hillock built of red rocks
3)
The temple of Dhabaleshwar behind the
Mallikeshwar Temple
4)
Another temple of Pudukeswar close to these
temples at the foot of the hillock,
5)
Giridhari
temple in Badshahi
6)
Gopinatha
temple at Daimamatha
7)
Trinath
temple at Gunupur
8)
Temple of
Hanuman and Sai Baba on the hillock
9)
Minajhola
tourist spot located on the confluence of rivers Philopholia, Choulduha, and
Vamsadhara. Please do not confuse it with the Minajhola of map and follow the
directions on board at Padampur main highway. The minajhola on map is some
other place. The tourist spot Minajhola is around 110 KMs from the Rayagada
town and around 47 KMs from Padampur. So if you are planning to visit Padampur,
do plan for Minajhola too.
10)
Taptapani
(around 95 KMs from Padampur)
In case your stay
option is at Rayagada, do plan for:
1)
Chatikona
2)
Gadagada
waterfalls
3)
Paikapada
Rekha deula temple, at Paikapada
4)
Jay Durga
Mandir, at Paikapada
5)
Lakshmi
Narayana Temple at Theruballi, Gujalpadu
How to Reach:
By Rail: There is no
direct rail network to Padampur. Nearest railway station is Gunupur (around
22KMs from Padampur). Nearest major Railway station if Rayagada around 70 KMs
By Road: Buses ply from
Rayagada to Padampur. One can hire a cab for a tour from Rayagada also.
Self-drive is the best way to visit all the areas in and around Padampur.
By Air: The nearest
airport is Vizag (around 240 KMs)
Stay Options:
The best way to visit
the places is to plan a stay at Rayagada and plan for this temple and other
places around. We stayed at Sai Residency A/C at Rayagada, which is at a very
good location and at very descent rate too. The rooms are really good and the
stay is very good. There are other good hotels available at Rayagada too, if
one would like to explore.