Samaleswari Temple
Samaleswari Temple is a Hindu temple inSambalpur, Western Orissa, is a strong religious force in western part of Orissa and Chhattisgarh state of India. On the bank of the river Mahanadi the mother goddess Samaleswari is worshipped from ancient times as Jagatjanani, Adishakti, Mahalaxmi and Mahasaraswati. The region in which the temple is situated has a rich cultural heritage. Sambalpur region is popularly known as Hirakhanda from ancient times. Ptolemy has described the place as Sambalak, according to Tavernir, the French traveller, and Edward Gibbon, the English historian, diamonds were exported to Rome from Sambalpur.
The temple is of Sandhara order. It is built of a kind of stone durable as granite, cemented with lime mortar, the whole building is plastered, but in the course of time the surface has become mouldy. The temple comprises of two separate structures. The square sanctum sanctorum enshrining the deity is four step below the 10-foot-wide (3.0 m) covered circumbulation, which is supported by 12 stone pillars. Eleven parswa devis (side Goddess), are embedded on the outer wall of the sanctum, so that the devotees can worship those deities during parikarma through the vaulted circumambulation. The Idol of Shree Shree Samalai Devi consists of a large block of Granite rock with an inverted, trunk like projection at the bottom. A shallow cut on her “Baraha” like face symbolises her mouth. Traditional Sambalpuri nose ornament of pure gold hangs down from her imaginary nose Beaten gold leave fixed on two disproportionate golden eye like depression on the face acts as substitute for her eyes in an attempt to define the face of the mother deity on a mass of self shaped rock, the devi’s idol inspires sublime sentiments of awe, fear, reverence, devotion, love and affection towards all-pervading motherhood.
Among the varieties of festivals observed before the goddess throughout the year three festivals are observed prominently. The first two are navaratra puja during the months of March and April and during the months of September and October. Among these two navaratra pujas (nine days continuous worship of the goddess) the second one is observed with a great splendour and devotion. The third festival which is said to be the chief festival of the whole western Orissa(sambalpur) region is nuakhai. In this festival the farmers offer the first produce from their lands to the goddess before using it for his personal use.
HUMA Temple
The Leaning Temple of Huma is the only leaning temple in the world and the only one of its kind in India. It is located in Huma, a village situated on the bank of the Mahanadi, 23 km south ofSambalpur in the Indian state of Orissa. The temple is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva.Nobody knows whether this structure is leaning by design or by default. One interesting fact is that while the edifice leans, the pinnacle of the temple is perpendicular to the ground.
Location: 23 km from Sambalpur
Founded In: 1670
Dedicated To: Lord Shiva
Huma temple, situated near Sambalpur, was established in the year 1670. It is believed that the temple was built by the King Baliar Singh, the fifth king of the Chauhan dynasty of Sambalpur. It is popularly known as the Leaning Temple of Huma, as it does not stand upright and is tilted towards one side. Infact, almost everything within the temple complex is skewed. The temple is located on the banks of Mahanadi River, at a distance of about 23 km from the Sambhalpur district of Orissa.
The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, one of the Gods forming the Hindu Trinity. There is an interesting legend behind the construction of the Huma temple. People say that there was a milkman, who used to go across river Mahanadi to worship Lord Shiva. He used to offer milk to the Lord everyday. One day, to his surprise, the rock idol consumed the milk offered by the milkman. This miraculous incident paved way for the construction of temple. During Shivratri, a grand fair takes place at the Huma temple.
Nrusinghanath Temple
Famous for the 15th century temple, Nurshinghanath is 164kms from Sambalpur. This temple is situated at the foot of the Gandhamardana Mountain, which in ancient times was called parimalagiri. According to Hiuen-Tsang, the Chinese traveler, this place was a centre of Buddhist scriptural learning. Lord Nrushinghanath is a much-adored deity of Orissa and a great fair is held in his honour on the 14th day of bright fortnight in the month of Baisakh. According to Huen Tsang, the Chinese traveler, this place was a centre of Buddhist scriptural learning. Lord Nrushinghanath is a much-adored deity of Orissa and a great fair is held in his honour on the 14th day of bright fortnight in the month of Vaisakha. According to Oriya and Devnagari inscriptions, the temple was built by Baijal Dev in early 15th century AD. The temple is constructed in Orissan style of architecture. | |
The Vidala-Nrusimha Temple stands amidst the verdant beauty of the picturesque Gandhamardan hills. Nrusinghanath is a popular and attractive pilgrim point.
Maa Ghanteshwari temple is a temple in the district of Sambalpur, the western region of Orissa,India. As the name suggests there are bells everywhere.[1] People offer bells to goddess Ghanteswarior the Deity of Bells, after fulfillment of their wishes. A large number of pilgrims from across the state visit the temple. It is known as the 'lighthouse without light', built by the early sailors, for whom the bells served as warning against heavy winds. The special significance of this place lies in the great number of small bells hanging all around. Maa Ghanteshwari Temple is situated 33 kilometres (21 mi) southwest of the district capitalSambalpur on the bank of Mahanadi River. The Chipilima Hydro Powerplant is located near the temple on the same riverbank. | |
