Neel Madhav Temple Odisha

Located in the picturesque town of Kantilo in Nayagarh district of Odisha, India, Neel Madhav Temple is a revered and ancient Lord Vishnu temple that has been a source of spiritual peace for devotees for centuries. Located near the banks of the Mahanadi River, the temple is surrounded by lush green forests and twin hills, creating a calm and peaceful environment that is considered perfect for spiritual contemplation.

Table of Contents
History of Neel Madhav Temple
Why is Neel Madhav Temple famous?
Festivals celebrated at Neel Madhav Temple
Architecture of Neel Madhav Temple
When to visit Neel Madhav Temple?

History of Neel Madhav Temple

Located in Kantilo, Odisha, Neel Madhav Temple has a rich history dating back to ancient times. The temple is dedicated to Lord Neel Madhav, an incarnation of Vishnu and Krishna, and is believed to have originated from the Odia tradition. According to legend, the temple was built by King Indradyumna, who was directed by Sage Narada to build a new temple when the original idol of Neel Madhav was lost in a storm. The temple was inaugurated by Brahma, and it is believed that the deity Nilamadhava is an incarnation of the omnipresent Vishnu. The temple is located on the hilltop of the Brahmagiri mountain, where Lord Brahma prayed to Lord Nilamadhava for his resurrection. The temple is also associated with the worship of Lord Jagannath, and its architecture is unique, with an idol of the deity accompanied by two wives, Lakshmi and Saraswati, and holding only two weapons, the conch and the chakra. The temple has been an important centre of Vaishnavism and Shaivism, with the Bhanja dynasty, the Bhaumakaras and the Somavanshis all contributing to its construction and preservation. The history of the temple is also linked to the legend of Vidyapati, who discovered the deity and brought it to the king, and the Savara people, who were the original worshippers of Nilamadhava. Today, the Neel Madhav Temple is a major tourist attraction in Odisha and an important cultural and spiritual site, with its unique architecture and historical significance making it a must-visit place for devotees of Lord Jagannath and Lord Vishnu.

Why is Neel Madhav Temple famous?

The Neel Madhav Temple located in Kantilo, Odisha is famous for its rich history, unique architecture, cultural significance and spiritual importance. Believed to have originated in ancient times, the temple also has worship of Lord Neel Madhav mentioned in the Puranas. Its unique architecture depicts a deity with two wives, Lakshmi and Saraswati, and holding only two weapons, a conch and a chakra. The temple is an important centre of Vaishnavism and Shaivism, with the Bhanja dynasty, Bhaumakara and Somvanshi all contributing to its construction and preservation. The history of the temple is also linked to the legend of Vidyapati, who discovered the deity and brought it to the king, and the Savara people, who were the original worshippers of Neel Madhav. The temple is a major tourist attraction in Odisha and an important cultural and spiritual site, with its unique architecture and historical significance making it a must-visit place for devotees of Lord Jagannath and Lord Vishnu.

Festivals Celebrated at Neel Madhav Temple

The Neel Madhav temple celebrates many festivals throughout the year. Some of the important festivals include:
Ram Navami: Celebration of the birth of Lord Rama, usually in March or April.
Snana Yatra: The bathing festival of Lord Jagannath, celebrated on the full moon day of Jyestha (around June).
Ratha Yatra: The famous chariot festival, celebrated on the second day of the Shukla Paksha of the month of Ashadha.
Akshaya Tritiya and Chandan Yatra: A 42-day festival starting on the third day of the Shukla Paksha of Baisakh, in which chariots for the Rath Yatra are built and the deities are worshipped in the boats.
Niladri Mahadeva: Celebrated on the 8th day of the Shukla Paksha of Baisakh, in which 108 pitchers of holy water are offered to the deities.
Pravarana Shashthi: Celebrated on the 6th day of the Shukla Paksha of Margashirsha, in which rituals are performed at the temple of Shri Jagannath.
Magha Saptami Festival or Ratha Saptami: An important festival celebrated at the temple.
Ekadashi Festival: A fair is held on Ekadashi of the Magha month.
Paush Purnima: A special festival in which Lord Neel Madhav is adorned with gold ornaments.

Architecture of Neel Madhav Temple

The Neel Madhav Temple located in Kantilo, Odisha, India is known for its architecture, which is similar to the Jagannath Temple in Puri. Some of the notable architectural features include:

Rekha order: The main temple is built in the rekha order, a typical style of temple architecture of Odisha. This style is characterised by a pyramidal jagamohana (entrance hall) in front of the main temple.

Pyramidal jagamohana: The jagamohana is a pyramidal structure that serves as the entrance to the main temple. It is heavily plastered with lime mortar and the bada (main portion of the temple) has five fold divisions.

Pancha Ratha projections: The outer walls of the temple have pancha Ratha projections, a typical feature of Odisha temple architecture.

Ornamental carvings: The temple has decorative carvings, including sculptures of lions on the topmost parts of the central raha pagas (temple sides).

Iconographic resemblance: The abode deity, Nilamadhava is carved out of chlorite slabs and represents similar characteristics of the images of Vishnu traditionally worshipped in Odisha as Madhava.

Garuda and Apsaras: The image of Nilamadhava is flanked by garland-holding apsaras (celestial apsaras) and has decorative attires including kirit mukut (crown) and vanamala (garland).

Toran: A well-carved brass toran (archway) is installed on the masonry pedestal on which the image is installed.

Brass Idols: Brass idols of Lakshmi, Saraswati and Krishna are placed on the pedestal for worship.

Eight-armed Mahishamardini Durga: An image of eight-armed Mahishamardini Durga is preserved in a corner of the jagamohana.

When to visit Neel Madhav Temple?

The best time to visit Neel Madhav Temple is during sunset, as it is considered a beautiful and picturesque place at this time.