Alarnath Temple, Brahmagiri, Odisha

Alarnath Temple, Brahmagiri, Odisha

Alarnath Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located in Brahmagiri Town in Brahmagiri Block in Puri District in Odisha, India. The temple is located on the banks of Chilika Lake and is to the south of the Puri Jagannath Temple. The temple is a protected monument of Odisha State Archaeology and under Endowment Department, Government of Odisha.

Legends

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2023/02/alarnath-temple-brahmagiri-legends.html

History

This original temple is believed to be built in 13^th century CE by the Gangas. The temple is associated with the visit of the saint Ramanujacharya to Odisha. It is said that many Azhwars visited this temple, but there is no mention of this temple in Nalayira Divya Prabandham. Chaitanya visited this temple during his stay at Puri in the early part of the 16^th century CE. The present temple was renovated and rebuilt by Odisha State Archaeology.

The Temple

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2023/02/alarnath-temple-brahmagiri-temple.html

Temple Opening Time

The temple remains open from 06.00 AM in the morning and closes at 09.30 PM in the night.

Festivals

As per tradition, Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Lord Subhadra  of Puri Jagannatha Temple take rest in isolation in a secret chamber from the rest of the world after suffering from fever due to the annual bathing festival (Snana Yatra) in the month of Jyestha for a period of fifteen days during Krishnapaksha of Ashada. The deities remain in the secret chamber and appear a day before Puri Rath Yatra day. The daily pooja protocol and other rituals in the sanctum are not performed during this two weeks period. This period is popularly known  as Anasara / Anabasara / Anavasara (improper time for worship).

There is a popular belief that Lord Jagannath during this period manifests as Alarnath Dev at Alarnath Temple in Brahmagiri. It is believed that those who cannot worship Lord Jagannath during his stay in the sick chamber can get the blessings of the deity if they visit the Alarnath temple. During this period the temple servitors offered holy porridge (rice pudding sweetened by jaggery), known as Kheer in local language, to the lord. There is also an interesting ritual of offering the first copy of artistic compositions to Alarnath Dev by writers, poets, and musicians. Sana Ekadasi and Bada Ekadasi are the other festivals celebrated here.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 1 Km from Brahmagiri Bus Stand, 21 Kms from Puri, 22 Kms from Puri Railway Station, 29 Kms from Satapada, 58 Kms from Khordha, 62 Kms from Konark, 77 Kms from Bhubaneswar Airport and 80 Kms from Bhubaneswar. The temple is situated on Puri to Satapada route.

Location