Erabanga Balaram Jew Temple, Odisha

Address

Erabanga, Gop Block,

Puri District,

Odisha 752116

Moolavar

Lord Vishnu

Introduction

Balaram Jew Temple in Erabanga Village, Puri District, Odisha, India. The Balaram Jew Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is located in Erabanga Village.

Puranic Significance

Temple History and Beliefs:

Erabanga is considered the birthplace of Balaram Das, one of the five great poets in Odia literature (Pancha Sakha).
The temple’s construction date is a subject of local beliefs and historical assessment. While the architectural style suggests a construction date in the early 19th century CE, locals believe it was built by poet Balaram Das in the 15th century CE.

Temple Architecture:

The temple faces east and comprises a pidha vimana (main tower), pidha jagamohana (assembly hall with a stepped roof), and mandapa (hall).
Both the vimana and jagamohana have square plans, while the mandapa is rectangular in plan.
The walls of the jagamohana feature images of Brahma and Kali.
In the center of the jagamohana, there is a Garuda Sthamba, a sixteen-sided pillar with an image of Garuda in anjali mudra (prayerful gesture) at the top, facing towards the sanctum.

Sanctum and Deities:

The sanctum sanctorum of the temple enshrines the images of Lord Balaram, Lord Jagannath, and Goddess Subhadra, all made of neem wood.
Additionally, metallic images of Sudarsana, Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Narasimha, Lord Madana Mohana, Lord Dolagovinda, and Goddess Sarasvati are placed over a molded stone pedestal within the sanctum.