Ramachandi Temple

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Overview : The temple of Goddess 'Ramachandi' is located on a beautiful spot on the banks of the Kusabhadra River in Bhubaneshwar, Odisha. The Temple is located just 5 kms from the famous Puri Jagannatha Temple. The temple is certainly more ancient that the Sun Temple at Konark. A graceful Chandi, seated on a lotus in a small temple half hidden by sand mounds, on the river mouth of 'Kushabhadra' and the endless Bay of Bengal stretched to eternity, and a thick growth of Casuarina plantation around is the scenic magnificence of the place. About the temple : The Ramachandi temple is a small deula. It consists of two structures, namely, the vimana and jagamohana. There is an open flat roof mandapa, recently built in front of the jagamohana. This temple is built in sand stones, laterite and bricks. The vimana is a pancharatha pidha deula and its height is about 30 feet from the surface of the temple complex. The structure of the vimana is erected on the platform of 1 foot high. It has four parts, namely the pistha, bada, gandi and mastaka. The pista of the vimana is decorated with three horizontal mouldings which are joined by vertical bonds.The bada of the vimana is panchanga and therefore has a five-fold division. such as pabhaga, talajangha, bandhana, upper jangha and baranda. All components of the bada are undecorated. The image of the Devi is the parsvadevata of the southern or backside. The four-armed Devi image is installed on the plain pedestal. This image is carved in padmasana posture. She displays lotus in right upper hand, rosary in right lower hand whereas the left lower hand lies on the thigh and the attribute in left upper hand is not being clearly visible. The eight-handed image of Biranchi-Narayana is the parsvadevata of the eastern side. He has been installed on the decorated pedestal. The image has three heads (one female, one Varaha and another a male head). It stands in alidha pose on a chariot drawn by seven spirited pigs. Out of the eight arms, five are completely broken and other three hands display bow, club and mudgal. The jagamohana or mukhasala of the temple has a vaulted roof and it is about 12 feet in height. The outer walls are completely plain. Both structures of the vimana and jagamohana are plastered with lime mortar. There is a lion on the octagonal pillar of 2½ feet high and it is noticed in the floor of the jagamohana. The niches of the northern wall contain two images of Varaha and Trivikrama. In the north west corner of the temple complex is occupied by a Siva temple named Ramesvara. About the deity : Goddess Ramachandi, the deity of Konark is thought by some to be the presiding deity of this temple. Significance : Devotees in this temple seek fame, freedom from diseases, wealth, courage and relief from bondage. How to get there or Accessibility : Air: The adjacent airport is at Bhubaneswar, which is about 64 km away. Rail:The railway stations nearest to Konark are located in the twin cities of Puri and Bhubaneswar. Road: The National and State Highways link Konark with Puri and Bhubaneswar forming a virtual triangle popularly known as Golden Triangle of East. To reach Konark from Bhubaneswar, after traveling 20km take a left turn once you reach Pipli village. The road straight ahead leads to Puri.