Balaram Jew Temple, Erabanga,
Odisha
Balaram Jew Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located in Erabanga Village in Gop Block in Puri District in Odisha, India. Erabanga is considered as the birthplace of Balaram Das, one of the five great poets in Odia literature (Pancha Sakha).
History
The
temple is believed to be built in the start of 19th century CE based on the
architectural style. However, the locals believed that the temple was built by poet
Balaram Das in 15th century CE.
The Temple
This
temple is facing towards east. The temple consists of pidha vimana, pidha
jagamohana and mandapa. The vimana and jagamohana are square on plan whereas
the mandapa is rectangular on plan. Images of Brahma and Kali can be seen on
the walls of the jagamohana. There is a Garuda Sthamba of about one meter can
be seen in the center of the jagamohana. The Sthamba is sixteen sided and has
an image of Garuda in anjali mudra at the top facing towards the sanctum.
Stucco
images of Jaya and Vijaya can be seen at the entrance of the sanctum on either
side. The sanctum enshrines the images of Balaram, Jagannath and Subhadra made
of neem wood. It also enshrines metallic images of Sudarsana, Lakshmi,
Narasimha, Madana Mohana, Dolagovinda and Sarasvati, placed over a moulded
stone pedestal. The exterior is devoid of any decoration except the dopichhasimhas
and deulacharinis over the beki of the vimana.
Festivals
Jhulana
Jatra, Chandana Jatra, Janmashtami, Kartika Purnima, Netrotsava, and Rakhi
Purnima are the festivals celebrated here.
Connectivity
The
temple is located at about 5 Kms from Gop, 11 Kms from Konark, 13 Kms from Konark
Bus Stand, 15 Kms from Nimapada, 31 Kms from Puri, 32 Kms from Puri Railway
Station, 53 Kms from Bhubaneswar Airport and 57 Kms from Bhubaneswar. The
temple is situated on Konark to Bhubaneswar route.
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