Kedargouri Temple is an ancient temple nestled in the Odisha state of India. It is one of the eight Astasambhu Temples. Dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Gouri, the temple is situated within the same premises next to the Mukteswar Temple. Locally, Lord Shiva is referred by the name of "Kedareshwar". The temple is surrounded by Dutiya Kedaresvara on its west, Kedara kunda on its east, Gouri temple on its southern and compound wall on its northern side.
Legend of Kedargouri Temple
The legend goes that king Lalatendu Kesari, after a tragic episode relating to two lovers Kedar and Gouri, had built this temple in their memory. The story goes like this that there lived a lover couple named Kedar and Gouri who decided to marry. However, the society did not approve their marriage. So, they had to flee from the village. During journey Gouri felt hungry, so Kedar went in search of food and was killed by a tiger. Gouri couldn"t take the pain so she too gave her life by jumping into the pond. Thus, the king built the temple to honour their love.
Architecture of Kedargouri Temple
The temple is pancharatha. It is designed with a vimana and jagamohana. On elevation, the vimana is in rekha order while the jagamohana is in pidha order. With fivefold divisions of the bada, the temple has a panchanga-bada. The bada is adorned with attractive sculptural embellishments. The mastaka is composed of usual beki, amlaka, khapuri, kalasa, and ayudha. The gandi of the jagamohana is set with eleven receding tires. The Mastaka comprises of beki, ghanta, amlaka, khapuri, kalasa and ayudha.
Significance of Kedargouri Temple
Beside the temple a perennial stream subsists. According to Kapila Samhita (a religious text) a single sip of water from the tank absolves the drinker from the repeated cycles of birth and death. Near the temple there is a `Khirakunda` and another Marichi Kunda`. The water of Khira Kinda is considered hygienic and digestive for which it is carried to different places for drinking purpose. The water of Marichi Kunda is auctioned on Asokastami day and consumed by sterile women who want to conceive. Every year during Shital Sasthi, Lord Lingaraja takes his marriage procession from Lingaraj temple to Kedar Gouri and there he gets married to Parvati.
