Ramachandi Mandir, Orissa, IN

Deity: Goddess Ramachandi
Location: Konark, Puri
Also known as: Mayadevi Temple
Best time to visit: October to March
STD Code: 06758

Ramachandi Temple is on a beautiful spot on the banks of the Kusabhadra River where it flows into the Bay of Bengal. It is only 5 km away from Konark in the Khordha District of Orissa. Southwest of the Sun temple. About 10 km along the beach is the famous Ramachandi Temple. It is an ideal picnic spot.

Goddess Ramachandi, the deity of Konark is thought by some to be the presiding deity of this temple, while others thought it to be the temple of Mayadevi, wife of Surya (Sun god). She was the main deity or goddess of Konark. The people of this place worship the goddess with great respect and devotion. Ramachandi Temple was one of the most historical temples of Orissa.

Now the temple has collapsed leaving remains of its broken walls and the empty throne. There is no historical evidence to conclude about its presiding deity there are, however, difference of opinion about the presiding deity of this temple. It has been surmised by some. As found in Puri Jagannath temple as well as in Bhubaneswar Lingaraj temple, so also Ramachandi, the chief goddess of the kshetra was perhaps enshrined in the enclosure of the main temple of Konark.

There is also a popular story current about leaving of Konark by Ramachandi due to attack of Muslim Suleman Kalapahad in 1568.The goddess Ramachandi dressed as a Maluni (maid servant) told Kalapahad to wait at the door till she returned with water for the goddess. Kalapahad waited anxiously to get some cold water for a long time. But when it was too late he entered into the temple and found the throne empty. Then he followed the Maluni with great anger thinking that the Maluni carried away the goddess. He reached the bank of the river Kushabhadra and found the goddess Ramachandi floating in the middle of the river. The river was as in full spate, he came back without being able to cross the river. Being advised by goddess in a dream, a Panda (priest) built a temple on the bank of the river Kushabhadra, near the sea shore which is a sandy deserted place. Now the place is called Ramachandi and every year many visitors come here to enjoy the charming sight of nature and to make amusement.

The main temple along with its Mukhasala had been built on one platform of 3'.2'' (965 cm) high. On the three sides of the temple walls i.e. south, west and north there were three figures of Sun god as side Gods. Now one can see these side gods in north and southern side, where as the figure of the western side has been displaced and is said to have been preserved in the National Museum at New Delhi. This image is said to have some sculptural specialization and is regarded to be one of the beautiful images of the Sun god. Though smaller in size, the side-gods of this temple are of similar type in all respet with the side-Gods in the Sun temple. Only we find today the side images of the northern side is somewhat in good condition while the image in the southern side has no head and the hands broken.

There is only one door to enter into the temple through the eastern door of the Mukhasala. The throne of the presiding deity inside the main temple has also been broken in architectural totality this temple is of high order and attracts visitors.

Other holy places:
Konark the Sun Temple
Sri Gundicha Mandir
Sri Lokannath Temple
Alaranath Temple
Sakhi Gopal

How to reach:
by Air: Nearest airport Bhubaneshwar- 64 kms is connected with Calcutta, Delhi, Hyderabad, Madras and Nagpur.
by Rail: Nearest railheads Puri- 31 kms and Bhubaneshwar- 64 kms are connected with the major places.
by Road: Konark is well-connected with Bhubaneshwar as well as the major places.

Visit www.eTirth.com for more information on Temples, Ashrams, Gurus, Festival and Daily Panchangam (Hindu ephemeris).

If you love to read visit www.KathaVarta.org for Religious stories.

Last but not least, if you want to visit above Holy Pilgrimage, please contact and visit our associate partner www.YatraKhoj.com and e-mail at yatrakhoj@yahoo.com.