BANKIMUHANA RAMACHANDI

The temple of Bankimuhaha Ramachandi is situated near Puri Railway Station. This temple is dedicated to Goddess Ramachandi. It is situated just behind the Cholera Hospital of Puri town. From Red Cross road (from Badasankha leading to Puri Railway Station), there is a diversion to Gajapati Nagar, while just enetring the lane close to the border of the said hospital, the temple is visible. The exact geographical location of the temple is LONGITUDE 85⁰50'18''E and LATITUDE 19⁰48'66''N. It is 40 feet high from the ground and facing towards south. The presiding deity is a six armed Mahisasuramardini (killing buffalo demon) Durga. The Sandhya Alati (Evening Prayer) is the most see sight for all. The environment of the temple is too beautiful as well as perinneal.

Legends

The name Ramachandi implies 'Ramaadharita Chandi' or the Chandi worshipped by Lord Rama Chandra. According to local tradition, Lord Rama worshipped the present deity Chandi for her blessing to attain victory over Ravana. In the eastern zone of the country there are many temples designated as Rama-Chandi temple. This indicates the path vide which Lord Rama chandra has travelled.

During 13th century the king Vanu Dev II, who constructed the Atharnala bridge, dumped river 'Malini' vide the ten miracles of Rajguru and he installed the famous Sadbhuja (Six Aramed) statue of Goddess Ramachandi which represents 'Sakti'. The river Malini was previously separating the badadanda (grand Road), so that two sets of chariots were prepared during Car Festival. The temple was designated 50 to 70 years back as 'Badi Thakurani' which means the tourists on foot who expired of cholera were burnt or thrown here. The meeting of river Malini with the sea is known as 'Muhana'.

Structure and Architecture

The Temple is facing towards South. The temple is triratha on plan. The Temple consists of Vimana and Jagamohana of Kalingan order. The Vimana and the Jagamohana are square on plan. The Vimana is devoid of decoration except the udyota Simha at the center of rahapagas. There is addition of a new hall infront of the Jagamohana, currently it is considered as the Natamandapa.

Within last few years the Natamandapa (20" x 9") of the temple has been improved, there are nice sculpture of Lord Ganesh, one statue of lion and Nabagrha statues. The puranic stories of Mahisasuramardini, Uma-Maheswara, Savitri-Satyavan, Krishna Lila etc. are recently depicted in the additional hall in front of the Jagamohana. The images of Dasamahavidya (ten different forms of Goddess) in their terrific form can be found in the niches on either side of the doorjambs. Theh images of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Goddess Subhadra and Lord Sudarshan are recently added to the left side area of the Natamandapa. The Natamandapa is conjoint with a small kitchen, and behind the temple there is small pond and flower garden.

Festivals and Rituals

Famous rituals like Durga Puja, Dussehra, Kali Puja, Deepawali etc are observed with great devotion in this temple. This temple is a typical legendry temple which is a place of Tantrick Rituals. An esteemed puja known as 'Sola Puja' observed here for 16 days consecuetively during Durga Puja. Varities of dressing, Chandi patha, Homa (Fire Sacrifice) and other vedic customs are also observed during this period. The Goddess is Parama Vaishnavi. Only on the Mahastami day of Dussehra, brunt fish is offered during midnight. Through out the year devotees visit the temple to get the blessings of Ramachandi.

Different Veshas of Goddess Ramachandi

Photo Gallery