SAKHIGOPALA

Destination Summary

Famous for Temple of Lord Krishna Nearest Attractions Raghurajpur, Siruli, Pipili, Biragobindapur, Barala State/Country Odisha/India Famous Events Anla Nabami, Dola Purnima Located at Eastern Coast of Odisha Distance From Bhubaneswar 41 KM Distance From Puri 19 KM Mode of Transport Road (Bus and Taxi), Rail Nearest Airport Bhubaneswar - 41 KM Best Time to Visit Round the Year Local Language Odia Other languages Hindi, Bengali and English

One of the sacred tourist destination of Odisha, Sakhigopal (alternatively spelt as Sakhigopala) is a village of historical importance which is situated 19 kms. north of Puri on the way to Bhubaneswar. It is the most famous spot os Odisha for cocoanut industry. The singular national importance of the place is the famous Sakhigopal temple. It is one of the top calibre krishna temple of the country. It is a saying that unless Sakhigopal is visited the piligrimage to Puri is not complete. There is a large influx of piligrims on festive days like Anla Nabami, Dolapurnima, Chandan Yatra, Kartika Purnami, etc. Sakhigopal means witness Gopal.

Legend behind the name Sakhigopal

There is very popular legend behind the name Sakhigopal. Two brahmins of Vidyanagar of south India went Brindaban on piligrimage. There the elderly one fell ill and was attened very sincerely by the younger. The elderly one promise the other keeping Lord Krishna as witness that on reaching their native place he would offer his beautiful daughter to the younger in term of marriage. Unfortunatly when both of them reached their native place the elderly one expressed evasive replies. The younger one was assured that due to low status of brahmin caste he was misfit for his lovely daughter. Without delay he again went to brindaban and worshipped Lord Krishna. However in the long run Krishna agreed but he told that the brahmin would walk ahead and he would follow him, but the strict instruction was the brahmin should not look back,otherwise he (Lord Krishna) would remain then and there. Lord assured that the brahmin would hear the sound of Nupura (sweet sound producing bracelet used by dancers arround ankel). Lord followed the brahmin to vidyanagar. On the way they were to cross the river Godavari. Due to sand the feet of Lord were dipped and no sound from Nupura was heard. The brahmin was too restless and apprehensive to look back. Lord stood on sand and did not move. The brahmin immediately ran to Vidyanagar and called the local people in good numbers. All were stunned to see the statue of Lord Krishna of Brindaban. The elderly brahmin repented and attested his promise by giving his daughter in marriage to the younger one. The local king developed great devotion and constructed one temple then come there at the sopt and designated as 'SAKHIGOPAL'.

The Gajapati King of Odisha Sri Purusottam Dev brought the statue from Vidyanagar after the place was conred by him (1467 to 1495). The King installed the statue at his fort at Cuttack which was worshipped by Lord Chaitanya on his way to Puri. After muslim invasion the statue was shifted from place to plale by the Khurda chiefs and at last it was stationed at ALASA. It is told the other name of Sakhigopal is Alasa, but at present there is small village called Alasa near Sakhigoal. One Brahmachari raised huge donations and raised a temple (60 feet high) in 1860. Initially there was one statue of Krishna.

At a later stage due to influence of Gita Govinda (written of Jayadev) people accepted the dual sculpture of RADHA KRISHNA, which is otherwise known as 'JUGALMURTI' and accordingly the King of Ranpur of Puri district offered one statue of Radha to have been conjugated with Lord Krishna. The height of Lord Krishna is 5 feet and that of Devi Radha is slightly more than 4 feet. It is now also told during moonlit nights at the near by Bakulbana people have watched the glamourous love-play of Lord Krishna-Radha and Gopis. The temple is managed by Government of Odisha since 1939.