Kedar Gouri & Kedareswar Temple, Bhubaneswar

Address

Kedar Gouri & Kedareswar Temple, Bhubaneswar

Near Bindu Sagar Pond, Kedar Gouri Vihar,

Bhubaneswar,

Odisha 751002

Moolavar

Kedareswar

Introduction

• Location: Near the Mukteswara Temple in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. It is considered one of the eight Astasambhu shrines in the city.
• Deities:
  • Kedar Temple houses a Shivalinga and is dedicated to Lord Shiva (locally known as Kedareshwar).
  • Gauri Temple houses the idol of Goddess Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva.
  • Other Temples: There are also three smaller temples dedicated to Lord Hanuman, Lord Ganesha, and Goddess Durga.
• Kunds (Ponds):
  • Khira Kund: Believed to heal man from the cycle of birth and death.
  • Marichi Kund: Women who take a dip here are believed to be cured of sterility.

Puranic Significance:

• King Lalatendu Keshari’s Role: The temple was built by King Lalatendu Keshari in memory of the tragic love story of Kedar and Gauri, two lovers from the village.
• Story of Kedar and Gauri:
  • Kedar and Gauri wished to marry, but their families opposed their decision, leading them to flee to the site where the temple now stands.
  • During their journey, Kedar was killed by a tiger while searching for food. Upon learning of his death, Gauri jumped into a pond and died.
  • In memory of their love, King Lalatendu Keshari built the temple, and today, many couples visit it to seek blessings for a blissful married life.
• Myth of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati:
  • Another legend suggests that Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati came to this place from Varanasi seeking peace and serenity, and the temple was built in their devotion.

Special Features:

• Age and Architecture:
  • The temple is believed to be 1000 years old.
  • Built in the Kalinga Buddhist architecture style, it features two shrines: the Kedar Temple and the Gauri Temple.
  • The Kedar Temple is similar in architectural style to the Siddheshwar Temple within the Mukteswara Temple complex.
  • The temple is Dakshin Mukhi, with a Shivalinga enshrined inside.
• Outer Walls and Carvings:
  • The outer wall of the Kedar Temple is adorned with statues of Goddess Parvati, Lord Ganesha, and Lord Kartikeya.
  • The outer walls of the Gauri Temple are intricately carved with beautiful images.
• Height: The height of the Kedargauri Temple is 13.7 meters.

Festivals:

• Shivaratri, Ganesha Chaturthi, Nag Panchami, and Hanuman Jayanti are celebrated with great devotion at the temple.

Century/Period

1000 years old.

Managed By

Department of Archaeology (DOA)

Nearest Bus Station

Bhubaneswar

Nearest Railway Station

Bhubaneswar Station

Nearest Airport

Bhubaneswar

Location on Map

lightuptemple