Located in the tranquil village known as Brahmagiri, about 25 km from Puri, the famous seashore city in Odisha in India, Alarnath Temple symbolises the spiritual pinnacle of the region. This historic temple is mainly seen as a place of worship with idols of Lord Vishnu installed inside, but it has a traditional Odia architectural style. The temple is a significant structure due to its historical background and religious importance; people visit it for prayers and sightseeing; the environment is calm and free from the anxiety of business activities within the city.
History Of Alarnath Temple
The temple of Alarnath has a history as old as the 12th century. It has a literary reference to the fact that it was constructed during the Ganga dynasty, which was certainly an era of rich art, culture, and religious growth in Odisha. It is a twin temple of Lord Shiva of the Kalinga cutting and Puri’s world-famous Jagannatha temple. It assumes a very significant status during the time of ‘Anavasara’- the fortnight when the deity Lord Jagannath and his siblings are at a bathing ceremony and are unavailable for darshan. For during this period, the Lord is worshipped in the form of Alarnath in the Alarnath Temple, thereby making the shrine an immensely important one among the order’s places of pilgrimage.
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Places To Visit Nearby The Temple
Image Credit: Government of Odisha for Wikimedia Commons
There are several tourist places of interest to visit near the Alarnath Temple, especially in the Puri region, and therefore, it is worth planning a visit.
Jagannath Temple: This temple is also where the famous car festival, or Rath Yatra, takes place. It is one of the four Char Dhams in India.
Chilika Lake: 50 km from Alarnath Temple lies Asia’s largest brackish water Lagoon, a birdwatcher’s and nature conservationist’s paradise.
Puri Beach: Often visited by tourists and AMI, it has golden sand and many activities associated with sea attractions.
Konark Sun Temple: This magnificently constructed temple, dating back to the 13th century, is a UNESCO-listed world heritage site located approximately 35 km from Puri.
Raghurajpur Artist Village: Located 15 km from Puri, this village has gained prominence for its Pattachitra paintings and other glorious art forms.
Cultural Significance Of The Temple
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Alarnath Temple has rich cultural importance as per the local folklore work. This ancient temple exemplifies the rituals that govern the daily lifestyle of the people of Odisha and the joyful festivals that enliven up the area.
Anavasara Festival: Over the years, people, primarily devotees, have flocked to the Alarnath Temple for the deities of Lord Alarnath. Some rituals are performed differently, and all the special days are celebrated in the temple by more devotees.
Chandana Yatra: Another summer festival is the Boat Festival, during which the deities are taken to a nearby pond. The festival is characterized by processions, songs, and dances. Performing arts are also part of it. Processions are a common feature, and Music and dance are other features.
Daily Rituals: The temple’s routines are also quite fixed each day, comprising Abhisheka, or holy bath, Alankara, or ornamentation, and Bhoga, or feeding food, mostly sweets, as per Vaishnavite customs of Odisha.
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Prominent Festivals
Odisha is the land of Jagannath, so festivals here are celebrated with great joy. Here are some prominent festivals that you cannot miss:
1. Alarnath Brahmotsava (Debasnana Purnima)
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The story of the Anavasara period is when the brothers, along with Lord Jagannath, bathe in the sea and fall sick for 15 days, and all the devotees of Lord Alarnath go to Alarnath Temple. Taripalli believes that the darshan of Lord Alarnath during this period is as auspicious as the darshan of Lord Jagannath. Generally, this festival is celebrated a month before Rath Yatra in June.
2. Chandan Yatra
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One of the important fairs and festivals of Odisha is the Chandan Yatra, which is done in the temple at Alarnath mostly during a trilogy of summer days. During this festival, the idols are dressed and taken out in procession, and then anarchy or a bath with sandalwood paste is offered. The Ponds are also varnished, and the gods are put in beautifully decorated and well-constructed boats for ritualistic sailing.
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3. Rath Yatra
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While this primary chariot ‘Rath Yatra’ is observed only in Puri or Orissa, Alarnath Temple also has this occasion. The idols are placed on cars and pulled around the premises of the temple and this is done on the tunes of singing, dancing, and chanting of sacred mantras.
4. Janmashtami
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The Janmashtami, the birthday of Lord Krishna is of much importance in the temple and is celebrated in a devotional manner at Alarnath temple. People engage in several forms of worship, such as slaughtering animals, singing praises and dancing, and dramatizing stories of Krishna.
Suggested read: Hotels near Puri
Suggested Read: Hotels Near Puri
How To Get To The Temple
Access to the temple at Alarnath is easy considering the location is almost close to Puri, a prominent religious and tourist destination.
By Air: The closest airport is Bhubaneswar, Biju Patnaik International Airport, about 60 kilometres from Puri. To reach Puri and then Brahmagiri, one can hire a taxi from the airport or take a bus.
By Train: Puri Railway Station is easily accessible to all the essential places in India. It has a fairly good rail connection with Bhubaneswar, Kolkata, Chennai, and New Delhi. Autorickshaws and taxis are available to reach Alarnath Temple after reaching the railway station.
By Road: A road transport network connects Puri with various parts of Odisha state and other neighbouring states. State-operated buses or travelling cars can cover the distance. Brahmagiri starts from Puri, about a half-hour drive, and buses and taxis are available frequently.
Further Read: Places To Visit In Gopalpur
Alarnath temple is located in a quaint little village called Brahmagiri, which is located just off the city of Puri in the state of Odisha in India. Now that you have a list of things to keep in mind for your next vacation to see the Alarnath Temple, make sure you plan your trip to Odisha to these fabulous spots for the experience of a lifetime. Don’t miss out on these opportunities and book your tickets now!
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Frequently Asked Questions About Alarnath Temple
When is it most suitable to travel to Alarnath Temple?
The best times to visit are during the anavasara season in the early parts of the year around June and July when the temple is most active. Unlike the spring festival, the temple remains open for a visit throughout the year.
What are the nearest places one can find to stay while visiting Alarnath Temple?
Brahmagiri, on the other hand, is not blessed with a plethora of establishments where people can rest their heads, but Puri’s options range from cheap motels to expensive resort-like establishments.
Is there any restriction about how someone is dressed while visiting the temple?
Shoulders and knees should not be exposed; swimming is allowed but people are required to wear T-shirts and short pants which are not revealing. The local dress code is worn, and visitors should start removing their shoes at the gate leading to the temple compound.
Are non-Hindus allowed to enter the temple?
The entrance, like in many temples in Odisha, is barred to non-Hindus. These customs should not be taken lightly and it is wise to observe and abide by them.
What are the other activities to be undertaken in and around the region of Alarnath Temple?
Besides the visit to the temple, there are several other tourist spots around it like Chilika Lake for bird photography, Puri Beach to spend some time near the sea, and Konark Sun temple for its architectural wonderment.
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