Alarnatha Temple

History

Incredible India describes Alarnatha as about two centuries older than the Jagannath Temple and records the tradition that rulers from Alwar in Rajasthan first established it. Legend holds that Lord Brahma came here to worship Vishnu in the Satya Yuga, which is linked to the name Brahmagiri.

Tradition says that Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, longing for darshan of Lord Jagannath during Anavasara, was guided by the Lord to Brahmagiri. Thousands of devotees still come to Alarnatha in this period, when the Puri sanctum is closed to them.

Odisha Tourism’s packaged temple tour schedules Alarnatha on its Puri day with Gundicha and other associate shrines. Besides Snana Yatra, the temple celebrates Janmashtami, Rama Navami and Kartik Purnima, and runs daily seva including prasad distribution and free meals for devotees.

Stories

When Jagannath is out of sight

After the Snana Yatra, the deities at the Puri Jagannath Temple are taken to a private chamber for about two weeks, a period called Anasara or Anavasara. Devotees cannot see the main icons during this time.

Many devotees therefore go to the Alarnatha temple at Brahmagiri, about 23 km from Puri. They believe that Jagannath appears there as Alarnath during these days.

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's journey to Brahmagiri

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, while staying in Puri, used to see Jagannath every day. During Anavasara he could not, and legend says Jagannath himself told him to go to Brahmagiri and visit the Alarnath temple.

The stone slab on which Chaitanya is said to have sung and danced in sankirtana is still shown at the temple.

One of the 108 Abhimana Kshetrams

Alarnatha Mandira is dedicated to Vishnu and also houses a shrine of his consort Mahalakshmi. It is counted among the 108 Abhimana Kshetrams of the Vaishnava tradition, and is linked with a visit by the saint Ramanujacharya to Odisha.

The name is often tied to the Alvars, the Tamil Vaishnava saints. Historians note that the Alvars may have visited, but the place is not mentioned in the Divya Prabandham. During Anavasara the kheeri, a rice pudding, offered to the deity is especially in demand.

Good to know

Vishnu darshan during Jagannath’s Anavasara

Linked to Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s devotion

About 25 km from Puri; can be combined with Chilika Lake

Getting there

Biju Patnaik International (Bhubaneswar) or Puri railway station; Brahmagiri is south of Puri town — taxi or tour circuit.