Nilamadhava Temple is an ancient shrine situated on the right-bank of the
river Mahanadi in
Odisha which is believed to have been worshipped by the Tribal. It is also believed that the
temple has been constructed and worshipped earlier than the construction of lord
Jagannath temple at
Puri. Therefore, this holy land claims priority over Srikshetra (Puri). Another attraction of this place is the Singhanath Temple.
Location of Nilamadhava Temple
It is located in
Nayagarh district in the
Indian state of Odisha. It is situated on the right-bank of the
river Mahanadi in a block called Khandapada. The nearest
railway station is Khurda.
History of Nilamadhava Temple
It is believed that in the ancient days, it all started in a small cave in the
Brahmadri hills situated on the banks of Mahanadi. As per scholars, Biswabasu, the local Sabara Chief worshipped Kitung (as the
God was known in the Sabara dialect) in this cave.
Puranas say that the God was originally worshipped in the form of an Indranila gem image known as ‘Nilamadhava’.
Attractions of Nilamadhava Temple
The main attraction of this temple is
architecture as it resembles the structure of Jagannath temple of Puri. It is called
Triveni Sangam of Odisha as there is Beni-Madhava in Prayag, so as here Nilamadhava.
The other attractions are the various festivals celebrated here. Amongst all, Maagha Saptami festival or
Ratha Saptami is the most popular one. Another famous festival of this temple is celebrated on 'Pausa Purnima' when Lord Neelamadhab is decorated with ‘Gold ornaments'. A fair is organized on the
Ekadashi of the month of
Maagha.
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