Buguda Biranchinarayan Temple, Odisha

Address

Buguda Town, Buguda Block,

Ganjam District

Odisha 761118

Moolavar

Biranchinarayan (Lord Surya)

Introduction

Biranchinarayan Temple is dedicated to Lord Surya located in Buguda Town in Buguda Block in Ganjam District in Odisha, India. This temple is the second Surya temple constructed in Odisha, after the famous Konark Sun Temple. This temple is famously called as wooden Konark / Arkha Kshetra.

Puranic Significance

The temple was built in 1790 CE by King Srikara Bhanjadeva of Bhanja Dynasty. The idol enshrined in the sanctum was placed much later. It is said that the idol was recovered from the ruins of Malatigarh. The temple is a protected monument of Odisha State Archaeology and under Endowment Department, Government of Odisha.

As per legend, Lord Biranchi Narayana informed King Srikara Bhanjadeva about the presence of his idol in a state of neglect in the wooded area close to Keshripalli of Ganjam District in the dream of the king. The king reached the place and enquired about the idol to the villagers. A farmer told him that blood was oozing out whenever he was polishing his sword on the stone. The king with the help of the farmer dug out the stone and discovered an idol of the Lord Biranchi Narayana along with seven horses and a wheel. Then king built a temple and installed this idol in the temple. There is a belief that the idol is the lost idol of Konark Sun Temple.

Special Features

This temple is facing towards west. The temple is built in the form of a chariot driven by seven horses. The temple rests on 32 intricately carved pillars. The pillars, the wheel of the chariot and the horses are carved out of stone and the rest of the temple is made out of wood. The fascinating feature is the depiction of forty-six intricately wooden carved pillars, thirty-two of shorter height and fourteen of taller height providing support to the roof of the temple. The sanctum enshrines an image of two armed Surya standing on a chariot over a platform. The chariot is driven by seven horses with one wheel on its left side, with Aruna as the charioteer. The idol is about five feet tall. The rays of the setting sun fall on the feet of Lord Surya daily.

The temple has two small replicas of the main idol made from copper and wood. The temple is famous for its wood carvings and wall paintings depicting the scenes of Sita-Vivaha, Bali Vadha, Setubandha Nirmana, Mayamirga Vadha, battle between Rama & Ravana, Krisnalila, the incarnation of Lord Vishnu, Kanchibhijana, the plan of the Jagannatha temple within the Shankhakshetra (Puri), Radha Krishna, courtesans, musicians, animals and social scenes. The temple also has a wide collection of 400 books of which around 200 are Tala Patra Pothis (engraved palm leaves documents) on Odia vyakarna (grammar), Puranas and texts on Ayurveda medicines among others. There is a Jagannath Temple situated at the other end of the main road.

Belief

Devotees suffering from eczema pray here for relief.

Festivals

Magha Ratha Saptami, Pausha Samba Dashami, Makara Sankranti, Rama Navami, Krishna Janmashtami, Rath Yatra, Danda Yatra, Durga Puja and Kali Puja are the major festivals celebrated here.