History:

Maa Samaleswari Temple, located in Sambalpur in Odisha, is one of the oldest and most revered shrines in India dedicated to Goddess Samaleswari, a form of Goddess Durga. The legend has it that the temple of Samaleswari was founded by the Chauhan ruler in the 12th century. According to local folklore, Samaleswari is a presiding deity of Sambalpur. The original name was Samalei during the Chauhan rule. The idol of Samaleswari is believed to have been installed by Lord Surya. It is believed that she was worshiped by Sai Baba and could cure him of leprosy. The temple is believed to be built in the late 15th century by Mukunda Dev, the local king of Sambalpur. The temple has a large hall with the main idol of the Samaleswari. Inside the temple, worshipers perform pujas and offerings to the Goddess. There is also a temple tank called Bindusagar where devotees take a dip to cleanse their sins. On the occasion of Durga Puja, huge festivities are organized with grand processions, devotional hymns and special arati offered to the Goddess. People from all over the state gather in Sambalpur to celebrate the festival. It is one of the best temple in Odisha which you must visit.

Facts:

1. The Maa Samaleswari Temple is located in the city of Sambalpur in the Indian state of Odisha. 2. The temple was built in the 13th century by the Bhoi kings of Sambalpur, and is the state’s oldest temple. 3. It is dedicated to the goddess Samaleswari, an incarnation of the Hindu deity Shakti. 4. The temple is one of the four major Shakti Peethas in Odisha. 5. The temple is a major pilgrimage spot for Hindus and devotees offer prayers to the goddess Samaleswari for blessing and good fortune. 6. The temple is known for its intricate architecture and is an important center for Hindu culture and tradition. 7. Numerous festivals are celebrated throughout the year and Durga Puja is the most popular one. 8. The temple is home to a large fair that takes place every year on the occasion of Maha Shivaratri. Thousands of devotees visit the temple on this day. 9. The temple also holds annual festivals such as the Chaitra Purnima Mela and the Rakhi Purnima Mela which are attended by thousands of devotees from all over the country. 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 Maa Samaleswari Temple in Sambalpur, Odisha follows the traditional rituals of Hinduism. The devotees offer prayers to the Goddess with a sankalpa mantras (supplication) and perform aarti (waveing of flaming divas) to the river and the Goddess. Prasad is distributed to the devotees as a token blessing from the Goddess. Other rituals are pujas (rituals of worship), homas (fire offering), tirthas (holy places), and kirtanas (devotional music). The devotees also partake in the Maha Yagna, an elaborate fire offering ritual held four times a year on the full moon day of Kartik, Chaitra, Jyeshtha, and Ashwin months. The temple priests and devotees come to the temple complex for these rituals and offer their prayers to Maa Samaleswari. This most visited temple in Odisha

Opening Timing:

The temple of Maa Samaleswari at Sambalpur in Odisha opens at 5 AM and closes at 8 PM everyday. top temples in Odisha

How to reach:

The Maa Samaleswari Temple is located in the city of Sambalpur in Western Odisha. You can easily reach the place by flights, train or bus. The city has its own airport located at Balasore, around 170 km away. However, the closest airport to the temple is Bhubaneswar Airport in the Capital of the state. From the airport, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach the place. If you are travelling from other parts of the country, you can easily take a train to Sambalpur. Sambalpur has its own railway station served by eight major trains, such as the 3064 East Coast Express, 18704 Hirakhand Express and so on. Many buses operated by the Odisha State Transport Corporation (OSRTC) also connect Sambalpur with major cities. Once you reach the city, you can hire an auto rickshaw or cab to reach the temple. famous temples in Odisha