Ladoo Baba Temple, Sarankul, Odisha

Ladoo Baba Temple, Sarankul, Odisha

Ladoo Baba Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Sarankul Town in Sarankul Block in Nayagarh District in Odisha, India. The temple was called as Kainchhi Temple in ancient times. This temple is considered as one of the important pilgrimage sites for Shaivites in southern Odisha. Generally, the prayers are conducted by the Brahmin priests in most of the temples but here the prayers are conducted by priests belonging to low caste.

Legends

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2023/03/ladoo-baba-temple-sarankul-legends.html

History

The original temple is believed to be built in 9^th century CE but the current temple was constructed in 19^th century CE by the ruler of Ranapur state. The temple is under the control of Endowment Department, Government of Odisha and taken care by the Ladukesa Mahesa Temple Committee.

The Temple

This temple is facing towards east and stands over a raised platform. The temple is enclosed within a high compound wall. The temple consists of rekha vimana, pidha jagamohana, bhogamandapa and natamandapa. A small antarala can be seen in between the vimana & jagamohana and jagamohana & natamandapa. Both the antaralas follow pidha style architecture. The vimana, jagamohana, bhoga mandapa and natamandapa are square on plan.

The vimana, jagamohana, bhoga mandapa and natamandapa are pancharatha on plan & panchangabada in elevation. The sanctum enshrines the presiding deity, Ladukeshwar / Ladoo Baba in the form of patalaphuta Shiva Linga within a circular yonipitha. The exterior of the vimana is decorated with stucco figures of amorous couple, erotic scenes, various deities, a miniature rekhamundi on the frontal raha, dopichhasimhas and Bhairava over the beki.

The bada portion of the jagamohana is represented with stucco figures of Krisnalila scene, painting of sages performing yoga and various deities. The bhogamandapa and natamandapa are decorated with khakharamundis and pidhamundis in the talajangha & uparajangha respectively. Udyota Simhas can be seen on each raha paga of the vimana and jagamohana. Shrines of Uma Mahesvara, Maha Lakshmi, Nabagunjara and floating stone of Ram Setu can be seen in the temple premises.

Festivals

Shivarathri, Dola Purnima and Kartika Purnima are the festivals celebrated here. Bolbam is a traditional culture here for which people across different parts of Odisha visit the temple from their own towns by walking on barefoot and carrying a stick over their shoulder holding 2 pots of water from their town and finally put in the Ladukeshwar temple on the occasion of Shivaratri.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 500 metres from Sarankul Bus Stop, 13 Kms from Odagaon, 13 Kms from Nayagarh, 13 Kms from Nayagarh Old Bus Stand, 15 Kms from Nayagarh New Bus Stand, 16 Kms from Nayagarh Town Railway Station, 34 Kms from Raj Ranpur, 70 Kms from Bhanjanagar, 97 Kms from Bhubaneswar and 97 Kms from Bhubaneswar Airport. The temple is situated on Nayagarh to Bhanjanagar route.

Location