Sureswari Temple, Sonepur, Odisha

Sureswari Temple, Sonepur, Odisha

Sureswari Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Goddess Sakthi, located in Sonepur Town in Subarnapur District in Odisha State, India. This Temple is considered as one of the oldest Shakti shrines in Odisha. This Temple is situated at the left bank of Tel River towards the south west of the confluence of Mahanadi and Tel River.

Legends

As per legend, Sage Parasurama performed a Yagna here on request of his mother. Further, he established the Sureswari temple and it is regarded as Renuka Pitha. There is an ancient sacrificial altar called Khaulagada in the temple, believed to be of Lord Parashurama.

History

The temple was built by the Chauhan ruler, Achal Singh Deo in 17^th century CE. Devi Sureswari was considered as the presiding deity of the fort of Chauhan ruler Achal Singh Deo. The temple was later renovated by King Biramitra Singh Deo. The temple is under the control of Endowment Department, Government of Odisha.

The Temple

This temple is facing towards north, but the main entrance is facing towards east. The temple consists of a rekha vimana and a pidha jagamohana. The vimana is square on plan whereas the jagamohana is rectangular on plan. The vimana is Pancharatha on plan. The sanctum houses an idol of eight armed Mahishasura Mardini. She is famously called as Sureswari in the region. Idols of ten-armed dancing Durga, four-armed Devi sitting in lalitasana and eight-armed Ganesha can be seen in the Parsvadevta niches.

Sculptures of Bhairava, Tara, Narasimha, Parvati, Chamunda, Ganesha, Kartikeya, upper part of a Bhairava, female deity and a seated male figure can be seen in the temple premises. There is a Khaulagada, a sacrificial altar, believed to be of Sage Parasurama can be seen in the temple premises. Seven Ponds can be found near to the Sureswari temple. It is said that these ponds were the remnants of fort of the Kalachuri rulers.

Festivals

Bali Jatra is one of the greatest festival of this temple. It is celebrated from the Aswina Amabasya to Purnima for fifteen days. Dussehra and Basanti Puja are the other festivals celebrated here.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 1 Km from Sonepur Bus Stand, 49 Kms from Boudh, 51 Kms from Balangir, 52 Kms from Balangir Railway Station, 81 Kms from Sambalpur, 114 Kms from Jharsuguda Airport and 268 Kms from Bhubaneshwar. The temple is situated in Sonepur town on Boudh to Balangir route.

Location