Balaram Jew Temple, Erabanga, Odisha

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 15^th 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.

Location