Youtube Link: https://youtu.be/3QNTOSV1FyE
Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narayana_Gosain_Temple
Location:
“Narayan
Temple, R48M+G84, Sarabana, Singhapur, Odisha 755008”
Narayan Gosain Temple is a Hindu temple situated at
Singhapur Village in Jajpur district of Odisha, India which is dedicated to the
god Vishnu (Narayana Gosain).
Legend:
A Muslim invader(Kalapahad)after destroying numerous
temples and Hindu images, reached the region in the 16th century. The then King
of Madhupurgarh, hid the central image in the pond to save the idol from
Kalapahad. A few years later, Vishnu appeared to the King and asked him to take
the image out of the pond and worship and then to be kept back safely. This
happened during Mahavisuva Sankranti or Pana Sankranti period. Since then
annually, the image is taken out of the pond on the Pana Sankranti day and
worshipped for three days.
Architecture:
Once again the original temple is not intact and the
present structure is a typical kalinga style with a Rekha vimana and a Pidha
jagamohana.
Deities and Sub-DeitiesThe main deity of the temple is
Narayana, a form of Lord Vishnu. He is revered as the presiding deity of the
region. The temple does not have many sub-deities, as the focus remains on
Narayana. However, the rituals often include prayers to other forms of
Vishnu.Worshippers regard Narayana as a protector and provider. His presence in
the temple is believed to bring peace and prosperity to the devotees. The
connection between the King and the deity adds to the temple's significance.
Rituals
The icon of Narayana Gosain is kept underwater in a pond near the
temple, Madhutirtha Kshetra, except for three days in a year. People gather on
these three days to catch a glimpse. This annual ceremony is known as Singhapur
yatra. This has been a practice here for more than four centuries. According to
the tradition, first the King of Madhupurgarh comes and offers prayers to the
Lord on the bank of the pond as Narayan Gosain is the presiding deity of the
king. After the King’s puja and prayer, thousands of devotees take part in the
ceremony every year.
Since the Raja Birbar Krishna Prakash
Dhir Narendra Singh had no son, he had made a public announcement near the pond
that, in future, his elder heir and daughter, the Queen of Madhupurgarh, Rani
Aparna Dhir Singh will offer the seva puja and pushpanjali to
Narayana Gosain.The abhishek of Rani Aparna Dhir Singh was done in the presence
of her younger sister Anusuya Dhir Singh and the only Rajmata of Madhupur Rani
Deepti Devi in the presence of priests of Madhupurgarh palace temple.
Major
Festivals:
1) Mahavisuva
Sankranti or Pana Sankranti
2) Annual
Singhapur Yatra
Nearest places of importance from Gokarneshwara
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
6) Mahavinayaka
Temple, Chandikhole temple (15.5 KMs on NH16)
7) Gokarneshwara
Temple, Singhapur
Timings:
Not sure of the timings, but generally open throughout
the day
How
to Reach:
By
Road:
Nearest bus stand is Singhapur. 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 34 KMs) or
Bhubaneshwar (74 KMs) or Cuttack (around 26 KMs). Try to cover the temple while
planning for Jajpur or Cuttack areas.
By
Rail:
Nearest railway station is Jajpur
(around 26 KMs)
By
Air:
Nearest airport is Bhubaneshwar (around 74 KMs)
Parking
and Photography
There is no problem with parking at all. No dedicated
parking though.
There is no restriction to photography. Drones can be
used but use it from a distance.
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.