Nirmaljhar, Odisha

  

Water Channels

The temple complex of Nirnaljhar is built around the sacred spring that originates in the foothills of Marua hillock. This magnificent structure was built in 1676 by the kings of Mardaraj Dynasty that ruled Kallikote. 

 

There are numerous temples  within the Nirmaljhar temple complex. There are temples for lord Shiva, Goddess Bimala, Lord Krishna, and Lord Jagannath. However, the main pond (Magar Kund) occupies the largest area. Water from the sacred spring is channeled through open canals into the Magar Kund. The location from where these channels originate is not known today.

The temples are of lord Shiva and lord Krishna have exquisite carvings on the walls. Many are shocked by the explicit erotic carvings on these two temples. The gods from the era of Kallikote kings are still part of us, but our relationship with them may have changed.

Statues of Dhashavatar (10 re-incarnations of Lord Vishnu) are depicted on the walls. After the statue of Kalki (last re-incarnation of Lord Vishnu who puts an end to this era) is a flight of steps that leads to nowhere. I wonder what those steps signify.

Shiva temple on the right and Krishna temple on the left

Getting there: 

• By road: Located about 20 minutes from Rambha, Nirmaljhar is only a few kilometers off the main highway NH30.

• By train: Closest railway stations are Barkul & Khallikot.However, only few trains stop at these small stations. Balugaon is the bigger railway station were almost all trains stop.

RadhaKrishna Temple

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