Maa Tara Tarini Temple-Purushottampur-Brahmapur-Ganjam District-Odisha A Shakti Peetha

Maa TaraTarini Temple:

Taratarini Temple on the Kumari hills at the bank of the River Rushikulya near Purushottampur, 32kms from Brahmapur city in Ganjam District, Odisha, India. 

Tara Tarini Temple is worshiped as the Breast Shrine (Sthana Peetha) and manifestations of Adi Shakti. The Tara Tarini Shakti Peetha is one of the oldest pilgrimage centers of the Mother Goddess and is one of four major ancient Tantra Peetha and Shakti Peethas in India. 

The goddesses Tara and Tarini are represented by two ancient stone statues with gold and silver ornaments.Two brass heads, known as their Chalanti Pratima, or Living Image, are placed between them. 

Lakhs of devotees come from every corner of world to have darshan of the Tara Tarini and perform their Manasika after fulfillment of their desires. Goddesses Tara-Tarini have been regarded as the presiding deity in almost every house in  South  Odisha. 

There are 999  steps on the  front side of the hill leading to  the  temple  and also a paved road  for vehicle  on the  backside of  the hill facilitating devotees  to   reach  at the  Pitha. 

Provisions of electricity, drinking water  and  a  small   market complex at the site with articles of  puja /archana are additional features of this Pitha. Taratarani attracts thousands of devotes, picnickers and visitors through out the year. There is a ropeway system from taratarini Foothill to Top hill Temple Place. 

Gopalpur on Sea Beach, Ganjam, Odisha, India Number 2 Beach in Odisha

Gopalpur on Sea Beach:

Gopalpur on Sea is a famous sea beach and a tourist destination around 15 km from Berhampur, Ganjam, Odisha. 

A major landmark of Gopalpur-on-Sea is its lighthouse. 

Gopalour-on-sea is also famous for its 'beach festival' organized annually. Commissioned in 1871, it is one of the oldest lighthouses in the state. 

Every year during Kartika Purnima, people sail tiny boats made of banana stems and paper, with lamps, betel leaves, crackers, fruits and coins in them, to mark the rich maritime history of Gopalpur-on-Sea. 

Gopalpur Beach can be visited all throughout the year. However, the best time to visit the beach in the month of October to March when the weather remains cool and pleasant. 

It is the perfect time to enjoy different tourist activities at the beach. 

Touted as one of the best beaches in the country, Gopalpur on Sea, remains an undiscovered haven for those looking for some ‘me’ time or ‘together’ time.

Bateshwar Beach and Bateshwar Temple, Kantiagada, Ganjam, Odisha a 8th Century Temple with Picnic Place

Bateshwar Temple and Sea Beach:

Bateshwar Temple is a 8th century temple belongs lord shiva. 

This temple situated at Kantiagarh, Ganjam 8kms distance from Bhubaneswar-Chennai National highway. 

Located on the shores of Bay of Bengal, the shrine attracts hundreds of visitors throughout the year. 

Spread over acres of land, it is the centre for religious integration. 

Beaches and casuarinas add to the beauty of the temple site’s landscape. After visiting the temple, tourists head to the beach to have some fun. 

Many people picnic in the casuarina forest during winter season. A lot of Devotees comes to this shrine in the holy month of Kartik. The Bateshwar Beach is still not crowded so much. 

Nirmaljhar, Khalikote, Ganjam, Odisha a 16th Century Tourist Place

Nirmaljhar:

NirmalJhar was constructed in year 1676 by King of Khalikote Aparajit Sri Balunkeswar Mardaraj. 

He is most popular king of Mardaraj Dynasty. 

This sacred spring of NirmalJhar originates from the foothill of Marua Mountain. 

Inside this temple complex, there are several other temple like Nilakantheswar, Goddess Bimala, Radhakrishna, Jagannath, Surya and Crocodile pond.  

You can also see Dashavatar of Lord Vishnu on wall on temple.

The name "Nirmaljhar" is derived from two Hindi/ Sanskrit words: "nirmal" means 'pure' and "jhar" represents "stream". 

Nirmaljhar is located around 17 KM from Rambha on the outskirts of the entrance to Khallikote town. 

Currently it promoted as a tourist site. 

The main attraction of the place is Two Kundas (Swimming pools) with pure and cold water. 

People are coming here to take a dip bath in it. People generally visit this place in summer.

Maa Narayani Temple, Khalikote, Ganjam, Odisha, India A Famous Shakti Peeth and Picnic Place

Maa Narayani Temple:

 Maa Narayani Temple which is dedicated to ten armed goddess Narayani or Parvathi or Durga. 

It is located on a hill in Narayani village situated near Khalikote, Ganjam District, Odisha, India. 

The Current temple was renovated by the zamindars of Khalikote in the early 18th century. 

The original temple existed before 12th Century AD. 

The temple is known for the scenic beauty of the surrounding countryside' including Chilika Lake. 

Till this day animal sacrifice rituals are practiced in the temple. 

It is 19kms from Balugaon. 

This place is also very good place for family picnic.

It is also very famous shakti peeth in Odisha particularly in Ganjam district.

Maa Bhagabati Temple and Daksha Prajapati Shiva Temple, a 13th Century Temple, Banapur, Khordha District, Odisha

Banapur:

It was once the Capital of Sailodhvaba dynasty during 8th to 9th century, responsible for the construction of the early group of temples at Bhubaneswar. In Banapur, Tourist Points are Maa Bhagabati Temple and Daksha Prajapati Temple. Banapur Comes under khordha District of Odisha.

Maa Bhagabati Temple:

Maa Bhagabati Temple which is situated in Banapur near Balugaon.

Goddess Bhagabati,the presiding deity of the place Banapur has earned celebrity as a center of religious activities.

This temple is situated in Banapur which is 8 kms from Balugaon and 105 kms. from Bhubaneswar.

Bhagabati Temple is one of the twelve famous Saktipithas as as mentioned by sarala dasa in his Odia Mahabharat.

The Present temple and his Jagamohana are said to have been constructed by the Gajapati Maharaja of Puri. This temple is 700 years old.

A lot of people from odisha came to visit this temple.

Daksha Prajapati Temple:

Daksha Prajapati Temple , also known as Dakshesvara Shiva Temple is on the right side of Balugaon-Bhagabati Temple Road in Banapur town and is about 5 kms west of Balugaon on NH16.

It is one of the best preserved heritage temple in Odisha and a fine specimen of extraordinary artistic excellence of Kalingan art.

On the basis of architectural features, sculptural embellishments and building materials, the temple can be dated to the during the rule of King Narasimha Deva I of the Eastern Ganga dynasty, during the first half of 13th century.

Daksha means ‘able’ & Prajapati is the Lord of the Creatures. Daksha is the son of Brahma & the father of Sati (wife of Shiba).

Here Daksha Prajapati is being worshipped in the form of Lord Shiba as Daksheswar, hence the temple is also known as Daksheswara Shiba Temple.

The temple is made of khondalite stone.

This temple attracts tourists due to its beautiful & well maintained design & sculpture like Gaja-Vidalas, Alasha Kanyas ( decorative nayika figures) & other minor images.

The scroll work locally called dali/lata in Odia, is extremely beautiful and varied in design.

Despite its richness and beauty, the temple is not known outside Banapur and is a distant second fiddle to the more revered.

If you are coming to visit Chilika Lake from Balugaon or barkul Side, then must include these two temple in your tour itenary, You will not regret.