Biranchi Narayan Temple, Palia, Odisha

Biranchi Narayan Temple, Palia, Odisha

Biranchi Narayan Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Surya located in Palia Village in Bhadrak District in Odisha, India. This temple is considered as one of famous Surya Temples in Odisha. The temple is situated on the banks of Salandi river.

History

The temple is believed to be built in 10^th century CE by the Somavamsis. The temple is extensively renovated in the early 20^th century CE by a local zamindar. The Odisha state archaeology constructed a shed for housing the ancient sculptures in 1993. The temple is a protected monument of Odisha State Archaeology.

The Temple

This temple is facing towards east and stands over a raised platform. The platform is decorated with crudely carved wheels on its sides, imitating the chariot of Surya, suggesting influence from the Sun temple at Konark. The temple consists of rekha vimana and shall entrance porches on all four sides. The sanctum enshrines a four faced image of Biranchi Narayan / Surya.

A square stone slightly tapering towards the top contains four carved images of the Sun god in relief, on the four sides of a slab. The figures hold two lotuses in two hands and are depicted standing on chariots drawn by seven horses. The sanctum also enshrines images of ten armed Mahishasura Mardini, Ananta Sayana and Krishna Govardana. The two door jambs of the eastern door probably belonged to an ancient Shiva temple and were reused in the present temple during a renovation.

The sculptures and carvings of the two door jambs bear a close resemblance to the Shiva temples of Bhubaneswar and Khiching of the 10^th CE. The dvarapalas are also belonged to an ancient temple but later shifted to this temple. The images are best preserved specimen. The dvarapalas twist their body and rest on an uplifted foot on the blade of an axe while one arm crosses the body to rest on the handle of the weapon. This is a rare Odishan pose which appears only in a few temples.

The exterior is devoid of any decoration except vidala, alasa kanya and deities. The rahas have been converted into doors spanned by cusped arches with makaras at the sides and a kirtimukha at the apex surmounted by a small mastaka consisting of a ghanta, amalaka and kalasa, all devoid of ornamentation. The face of the arch is relieved with scroll work consisting of floral rosettes framed by a meandering vine and decorated with a few hamsas.

Festivals

Ratha Saptami (Magha Saptami) and Samba Dashami are the famous festivals celebrated here.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 16 Kms from Bhadrak Bus Stand, 16 Kms from Bhadrak Railway Station, 17 Kms from Bhadrak, 40 Kms from Chandbali, 72 Kms from Balasore, 121 Kms from Cuttack, 144 Kms form Bhubaneswar and 148 Kms from Bhubaneswar Airport. The temple is situated on Bhadrak to Chandbali route. Buses and Taxis are available from Bhadrak to reach this temple.

Location