Alarnath Temple
By Lokanath Mishra
I visited the Alarnath Temple on Friday, 20.06.2025. The Alarnath Temple in Brahmagiri , has a rich history dating back to the Satya Yuga when Lord Brahma worshiped Lord Vishnu on top of a hill. According to legend, Lord Vishnu appeared and instructed Brahma to carve a four-armed deity form out of black stone, which would be known as Brahmagiri, named after Brahma’s worship. The temple was built around 1100 years ago by King Madan Mahadeva and was previously worshiped by South Indian Brahmins in the lineage of the Alvars, hence the name Alarnath, meaning “Lord of the Alvars”.
Key Historical Events:
- Association with Chaitanya Mahaprabhu: The temple is associated with Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who visited the temple during the Anavasara period when Lord Jagannath is not available for darshan. Mahaprabhu’s visit is commemorated by a stone slab known as “Prema Sila” that bears the impressions of his body.
- Ramanujacharya’s Visit: The temple is also associated with the visit of Saint Ramanujacharya to Odisha.
- Anavasara Period: During this 15-day period, devotees flock to Alarnath Temple to worship Lord Alarnath as a proxy for Lord Jagannath.
Temple Architecture and Significance:
- Kalinga Architecture: The temple showcases Kalinga architecture, characterized by intricate carvings, majestic towers, and robust structures.
- 108 Abhimana Kshethram: Alarnath Temple is considered one of the 108 Abhimana Kshethram of Vaishnavate tradition.
- Deities: The temple features Lord Alarnath, a four-armed Vishnu deity, accompanied by his consorts Sri and Bhu, and Garuda at his feet. The temple also contains idols of Rukmini and Satyabhama .
Visiting Information:
- Location: Alarnath Temple is located in Brahmagiri, approximately 25 kilometers from Puri.
- Timings: The temple is open from 5:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
- Festivals: The temple celebrates Anavasara and Chandan Yatra festivals .