History:

is a temple situated in Banki, Cuttack. The temple has been built to honor Goddess Kali and is one of the many Shakti peethas (abodes of the divine mother) that can be found in Odisha. According to a legend, on a voyage to Kolkata, Goddess Kali took rest in Banki after an incident on her way which made her shed her Dakhina (The offering of wealth). In order to commemorate this divine act, a temple was established here. The temple has been in existence for more than 200 years and is visited by hundreds of devotees every day. The temple has a three-tiered shikhar made of stone and the inner walls are decorated with carvings. The deity of Goddess Kali sits on a throne along with Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. The temple walls have traditional images of Hindu deities. It is one of the best temple in Odisha which you must visit.

Facts:

1. Dakhina Kali Temple is located in Banki town of Cuttack district in Odisha. 2. Dakhina Kali is the principal deity of the temple and there are other small deities surrounding her such as Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, Lord Ganesha and other local deities. 3.The temple is believed to be over 400 years old. 4.It is believed that the temple was established by a cluster of Brahmins from Bengali Desh. 5.The main festival celebrated here is the annual festival of Durga Puja, which is celebrated in the month of October. 6.The temple has a murti or idol of Dakhina Kali and the temple is built in a panchayat “Sarvamoola Panchayat” which means that the sacrifices and offerings are dedicated to all other gods in the temple. 7.The temple also has an “aatma lingam” (celestial stone) which is believed to be very powerful. 8.The temple has four doors and each door represents the four directions in which the devotees come to offer their prayers. 9.The temple also has its own tank called “Kali Kunda” which is believed to have medicinal properties. 10.The other important festivals of the temple include Kali Puja, Durga Puja, Kartik Purnima and Rath Yatra. Here are some facts about the Odisha temple.These facts will help you understand why it is oldest temple list of the best temples in Odisha

Worship Method:

The worship method of Dakhina Kali Temple is usually a puja ritual conducted by the priest in a ritualistic manner. This ritual usually includes offering puja items like Bhog, fruits, flowers, Bel Patra, and a Nirmalya to the deity. Devotees offer prayers to the Goddess with flower petals standing in front of the idol and seek her blessings. Chanting of mantras, reciting verses from popular Hindu scriptures, and offering coconut are some of the common rituals that form an integral part of the puja. Devotees should also make a flower-laden offering of Bael leaves and flowers to the goddess as part of the pujas. Following the traditional rituals, the priest then distributes prasad among the devotees as blessings for health and success. This most visited temple in Odisha

Opening Timing:

The temple opens at 6.00 am and closes at 11.00 pm on all days. top temples in Odisha

How to reach:

The temple of Dakshina Kali in Banki can be reached by road, rail, and air. By Road: Buses are available from the nearby cities of Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, and Puri to Banki which takes around 1 to 2 hrs & from Banki district the temple is located at a distance of 5 km which can be easily reached by private cabs or rental cars. By Train: The nearest railway station from the temple is in Banki which is around 4 km away and from here people can travel to any part of India. By Air: The closest airport to Dakshina Kali Temple in Banki is Bhubaneshwar Airport which is located at a distance of 68 km and from there a private cab can be hired for the temple or can also take a bus or train. famous temples in Odisha