Khandapada Jagannatha Temple, Odisha

Address

Khandapada Jagannatha Temple, Odisha

Khandapada, Khandapada Block

Nayagarh District

Odisha 752077

Moolavar

Jagannatha

Introduction

Jagannatha Temple in Khandapada Town, Nayagarh District, Odisha, India. The Jagannatha Temple is situated in Khandapada Town and is located close to the Khandapadagarh royal palace. It is positioned on the left bank of the Kusumi River.

Puranic Significance

This temple was constructed during the mid-19th century, specifically during the reign of Raja Kunja Bihari Mardaraja Bharamarvara Raya, who ruled the former princely state of Khandapadagarh from 1842 to 1867 CE.

Orientation: The Jagannatha Temple is east-facing, which is a common orientation in Hindu temple architecture.
Architecture: The temple follows traditional Odia temple architecture. It consists of a rekha vimana (main tower), pidha jagamohana (assembly hall with a stepped roof), and pidha natamandapa (dance hall with a stepped roof). All these components have a square plan.
Nisha Shrines: The vimana is attached with nisha shrines over the parsvadevata niches. These nisha shrines follow the pidha order and share decorative elements with the main temple.
Deities: The sanctum sanctorum enshrines a wooden image of Lord Jagannatha placed on a high platform. Additionally, idols of Trivikrama, Varaha, and Narasimha are enshrined in the parsvadevata niches located around the sanctum walls.
Exterior Decorations: The exterior of the temple is adorned with intricate carvings and sculptures. It includes depictions of Hindu deities, nayikas (female figures), vidalas (mythical creatures), erotic scenes, and various architectural motifs such as miniature rekha angasikhara, khakhara, and pidhamundi.
Interior Paintings: The interior walls of the jagamohana and natamandapa feature recent paintings depicting scenes like Kanchibhijana and Krisnalila.

Special Features

Narayana Shrine:

Construction Period: Built in the early part of the 20th century during the rule of the former princely state of Khandapadagarh.
Orientation: The shrine faces east and stands on a raised platform.
Architecture: The shrine follows a pancharatha plan (with five sections) and panchangabada elevation. It consists of a pidha vimana, antrala, and pidha jagamohana. Both the vimana and jagamohana have a square plan.
Deities: The sanctum enshrines an image of a four-armed Lord Vishnu on a high pedestal. Additionally, idols of Varaha (south), Narasimha (west), and Trivikrama (north) are enshrined in the parsvadevta niches around the sanctum walls.
Exterior: The exterior of the shrine is relatively simple, with decorative elements such as pidhamundi niches over the parsvadevta niches, deulacharinis, dopichhsimhas over the beki (cornice), and udyota simhas on the top tier of the gandi (tower) on each side.

Gopinatha Shrine:

Construction Period: Built in the last part of the 19th century during the rule of the former princely state of Khandapadagarh.
Orientation: The shrine faces east and stands on a raised platform.
Architecture: The shrine comprises a pidha vimana, pidha jagamohana, and a processional path. Both the vimana and jagamohana have a square plan.
Deities: The sanctum enshrines the images of Krishna and Radha made of black chlorite. Additionally, idols of Varaha (south), Narasimha (west), and Trivikrama (north) are enshrined in the parsvadevta niches around the sanctum walls.
Exterior: The exterior of the shrine is relatively simple, similar to the Narayana Shrine, with decorative elements such as pidhamundi niches, udyota simhas, gaja-vidalas, and nayikas.

Biswanatha Shrine:

Construction Period: Built in the last part of the 19th century during the rule of the former princely state of Khandapadagarh.
Orientation: The shrine faces east and stands on a raised platform.
Architecture: The shrine is pancharatha on plan and consists of a pidha vimana and pidha jagamohana. The vimana is square on plan, while the jagamohana is rectangular and features a series of pilaster designs.
Deities: The sanctum enshrines the presiding deity Biswanatha in the form of a Shiva Linga within a circular yonipitha. There is also a circular stone well situated on the northeast corner of the temple.
Exterior: The exterior of the shrine is decorated with a number of stucco figures depicting Hanuman, a monkey, a bull, an elephant, and more. It also features erotic images and a depiction of Dasanana Ravana. Udyota simhas can be seen on the top tier of the gandi on each side. The rear wall of the vimana is painted with various divine and mythological figures.

Festivals

Ratha Yatra, Dola Purnima, Snana Purnima, Janmashtami, Radhastami, Shivarathri, Kartika Purnima and Sankranti are the festivals celebrated here with much fanfare.