History:

is linked with the legendary king Krushna Chandra Gajapati Narayan Singh. It is said that he discovered a hidden temple in the bowels of Dhamra, then known as Talara and then worshipped Lord Jagannath by renovating it and then built a brand new temple for Lord Jagannath of Rath Yatra fame. The temple is constructed of stones and bricks and is one of the oldest temples in Odisha. Its anicent history and sculptures make it a unique and popular pilgrimage spot in Odisha. It is also known as the `Raghunath Temple` for its close association to Lord Rama. The sun temple, adjacent to the Raghunath temple is also a matter of attraction for the devotees. It is one of the best temple in Odisha which you must visit.

Facts:

1. The Raghunath Temple in Dhamra, Odisha is a major temple dedicated to Lord Rama and one of the most important shrines in the eastern Indian state. 2. The temple dates back to around 13th century AD and was built by the Ganga Dynasty, one of the royal dynasties of Odisha. 3. The present temple structure was built in the 17th century AD by Raja Tikka Bhanj. 4. The Raghunath Temple complex is spread over a sprawling area of five sq. kms and consists of 70 shrines most of which are dedicated to various Hindu deities. 5. The main temple, built from sandstone, houses the main sanctum which houses the main deity in the form of a black stone idol in a seated posture. 6. There are many festivals held in the temple in which devotees and pilgrims gather in large numbers. One such festival is the Ram Navami festival which is observed with great fanfare and devotion. 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:

In the Raghunath Temple at Dhamra, worship is conducted according to the traditional Pancharatra Agama form of worship. Devotees offer prayers in the form of puja, chanting of mantras, and other rituals. The puja is conducted three times a day- once in the morning, noon and evening. The morning puja includes Abhishekam (sacred bath), Kalasha Poojan (ritual to the holy pot) and several other offerings. Pujan is also performed for the deities of Vishnu and Lakshmi to honour them, and also for Devi Durga for protection. During the noon puja, Rajopachara Puja (or Thenga Puja in Oriya), which is performed with coconut decorated with flowers and a plate of banana and sweets, is offered to the deity, and then distributed among the devotees. At the evening puja (Sandhyavandana) devotees present prayers in front of the Lord, using flowers, incense, lamps, etc. Namskara and Vishvaksena Pooja is also performed in the evening. Other rituals and prayers like Nitya Puja, Sankalpa, Bhajans, Divya Prabandha (recitation of holy verses), Prasad Ksanam (feeding the Lord with vegetables and fruits) are conducted in the temple on special occasions. On regular days, Bhajans, Kirtan, Annadanam (distribution of prasad), and Maha Abhishekam are conducted. At the end of every puja, Prasad (blessed offerings) is distributed to devotees. This most visited temple in Odisha

Opening Timing:

The Raghunath Temple - Dhamra in Odisha is open from 6:00 am to 12:00 pm and 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm every day. top temples in Odisha

How to reach:

The Raghunath Temple - Dhamra is located in the district of Balasore in Odisha. It can be reached by road or train. By Road: The temple is located at a distance of 427 km from Bhubaneswar, the nearest major city. One can find regular bus service available from Bhubaneswar and other nearby cities like Cuttack and Puri to reach the temple. By Train: The nearest railway station is at Badasahi which is 36 km away from the temple. From there, one can easily hire a cab or take a local bus to reach the temple. famous temples in Odisha