Budhakhol Panchu Mahadeva Temple, Odisha

Address

Budhakhol Panchu Mahadeva Temple, Odisha

Khainchapada, Ganjam District,

Odisha 761105

Moolavar

Mahadeva

Introduction

Budhakhol is a heritage site of Odisha located in Buguda block of Ganjam District in Odisha, India. It is located about 92 km away from the district headquarters. The old heritage is known for its beautiful trees, caves, temples and perennial waterfall which attract tourists. Another attraction point of the place is the presence of a group of five temples. The five temples are Sri Sri Makareswar Swami, Sri Sri Gangadhareswar Swami, Sri Sri Jagadieshwar Swami, Sri Sri Siddheswar Swami, and Sri Sri Budheswar Swami, which is popularly known as Panchu Mahadeva Temple.

Puranic Significance

The name of the place Budhakhol is derived from Badhesvara, which means Buddha in meditating position. It is strongly believed that Buddha visited the place. Huentsang also visited the place and witnessed the learning and teaching of Buddhists and believed that it was one of the best places to learn Buddhism. The Panchumahadeva temples are believed to be built in the era of Jagadguru AdiShankaracharya. Hence the place is a mix of both Buddhism and Hinduism.

The place and the caves were a major site of Buddhism learning. Even Lord Buddha is said to have stayed here. The Chinese traveler Huensang too had come to this place to learn Buddhism during his 17 years stay in India during 6th CE. It is said that the King of Bhanjanagar had constructed the temples later and worship of Buddheswar had started. One family of priest was brought from Puri to worship Lord Buddheswar. Now the family has grown to forty families engaged in daily rituals at the temple as well as another temple called Kuberaswar(another Buddhist site) near Buddhakhol. Recently a Hanuman statue has been erected at the bottom of the hill and the Statues of Shiva Parbati has been donated by Ipsita Pati, an odiya actress.

Special Features

There is a perennial source of waterfall attracting picnickers from nearby areas. There are 5 temples, called Panchu Mahadeva which is another attraction for the religious tourists who throng to this place from all over Odisha to worship Gangadhareswar, Sidheswar, Buddheswar, Jagadieswar and Makareswar.