The ancient Khirachora Gopinatha Temple situated in the enchanting town of Remuna is at a distance of almost 9 kms from Balasore in the Indian state of Orissa. The word Remuna has been derived from the word `Ramaniya` means beautiful looking.
Legend of Khirachora Gopinatha Temple
According to an engrossing legendry fable, almost 500 years ago a devotee of Lord Krishna, Madhavendra Puri was going for a pilgrimage tour to Puri to obtain sandalwood for deity in Vrindavan. During his trip he halted at Remuna where he saw an idol of Sri Gopinath that filled his heart with joy and ecstasy. He saw that the Lord was being served delicious kheera (stuffed milk). Madhavendra Puri wished to taste some which would enable him to prepare it later to offer to Sri Gopala. He however, never asked for food but only accepted those that were offered to him. Hence without tasting the khira he left the shrine for Puri. It is believed that a priest of the temple upon worshipping the Lord was resting when he dreamt of Gopinath instructing him to find khira that was hidden under his garments. The Lord asked him to offer it to Madhavendra Puri. The priest followed the instructions and offered it to the devotee informing him that the Lord himself had stolen the khira for him. The deity of the temple was thus, named as `Khira Chora Gopinatha.`
Deities of Khirachora Gopinatha Temple
The garbhagriha of the temple enshrines the idol of Lord Gopinath that stands in bas relief. The Lord is flanked by black coloured stone idols of Sri Madana Mohana and Sri Govinda. A devotee named `Chaitanya Dasa Babaji` transported the idols of Govinda and Madan Mohan from Vrindavan in 1938. The idols reflecting the aura of sanctity and serenity are seen in standing posture. It is believed that Lord Rama had curved the idol of Gopinath with his arrow and was later worshiped by Sita in Chitrakuta. Lord Rama curved it to demonstrate to his consort about the next avatar vigraha. In the 13th century the idol was brought from Chitrakuta by the ruler of Utkal, King Langula Narasingha Deba and installed it in Remuna. Under the instruction of the king two huge tanks, Brajapokhari and Kutapokhari were dug in the region.
Khirachora Gopinatha Temple, a sacred pilgrimage centre in the region draws hordes of pilgrims from different corners of the country. It is also visited by the Western ISKCON devotees on various occasion and festivals.
