1200px-Mahabinayak_temple (1), Mahavinayak Temple, Jajpur, Odisha
1200px-Mahabinayak_temple (1), Mahavinayak Temple, Jajpur, Odisha

Mahavinayak Temple, Jajpur, Odisha

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Major festivals
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District:: Jajpur
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Mahavinayak Temple is a major pilgrimage center in Chandikhole in Jajpur district in the Indian state of Odisha. It is one of the oldest Ganesha temples in the state. Five gods – Shiva, Vishnu, Durga, Sun and Ganesha – are worshiped as one deity in a single Garbhagrihaor sanctum sanctorum there.Lord Ganesha’s one other name is ‘Binayak’.For this the temple name is Mahavinayak,but this place is popularly known as a Shiva Khestra.So this is a different place from others.

Architecture

Legend / Local stories

The Mahavinayak temple is a place of mythological and historical importance. This temple was constructed by the kings of the Keshari Dynasty of Odisha during the 12th century.

Rati Devi, the wife of Kamadev, is worshiped there for her devotion that led to the release of her husband from the curse of Lord Shiva. While she was praying to Lord Ganesh, five hands simultaneously stretched out towards her to receive her offering, putting her in a dilemma. She then prayed to Bramha who clarified that the five Gods, Ganesh, Sun, Vishnu, Shiva and Durga, had been pleased with her prayer and simultaneously stretched their hands to receive her offering. Kamadev was released thereafter, and that day a large granite stone emerged from the earth, containing the divine power of the five Gods.

This place is also related to Mahabharat legends. The Baruna hill area was the capital of Yudhisthira. From this place, he left for heaven by handing the royal charges of his empire to a teli (an oilman whom he saw first before dawn) who later became the king. His palace was named as Teligarh and the remains of his palace can still be seen on the opposite side of the temple. During the Mahabharat battle, mother Kunti also offered Golden Champa flower to Lord Shiva from this place for the victory of her sons.It is also said that the detached head of Lord Ganesha fell at this location.

According to a legend when Lord Shiv cut the head of Lord Ganesha,his detached head fell in this place so the another name is called Vinayak Khestra.An another legend tells that at the time of Mahabharata battle, Mata Kunti also offered one lakh swarna Champa flowers to Lord Shiva from this place for the victory of her sons.

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How to Reach:

The Mahavinayak Temple is located in Chandikhole, in Jajpur district.The first adjoining foothill base, hosts the temple of Goddess Chandi, and in the second foothill base is the temple of Mahavinayak. Both have perennial springs (named Golden Spring) with pucca swimming ponds for bathing. In the middle of the hill, just above the Mahavinayak temple, is another temple dedicated to Maa Banadurga.

Reaching Mahavinayak Temple of Chandikhole, Jajpur by road Way
Mahavinayak Temple of Chandikhole is 4 k.m from Chandikhole Chhak and Chandikhole is 40 k.m far from the old city Cuttack and 61 k.m from the capital city Bhubaneswar. The road is from Cuttack towards Bhadrak on NH-5(A).

Distance of Mahavinayak Temple of Chandikhole from Cuttack is thus 40 Km
Distance of Mahavinayak Temple of Chandikhole from Bhubaneshwar is 61 Km

Nearest main Railway station from Mahavinayak Temple of Chandikhole, Jajpur is Cuttack
Mahavinayak Temple of Chandikhole is 44 k.m away from Cuttack main Railway station and 6 k.m away from two small stations Railway station Haridaspur and Dhanamandal.

Mahavinayak Temple of Chandikhole, Jajpur by Air Way
Nearest airport from Mahavinayak Temple of Chandikhole, Jajpur is This place is 65 k.m far from Bhubaneswar Air port (Biju patanaik International airport).

Contact Details

Official Address

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