Baba Akhandalamani Temple

Baba Akhandalamani Temple is a revered Shaivite shrine, here Lord Shiva is worshipped as Baba Akhandalamani. The temple is located in Aradi village on the banks of Baitarani River near Bhadrak. The black granite Shivling is regarded as a Swayambhu (Shivling manifested naturally). The temple is an important centre of religious and cultural activities in the Bhadrak district and is visited by pilgrims throughout the year.

According to local legend, the Shivling was discovered by King Niladri Samara Singha Mohapatra who dreamt of the deity after a black stone was found on the ground. The king then started worshipping the deity and is traditionally believed to have constructed the original wooden temple around 1830. The wooden temple was later replaced by a larger temple with artistic carvings and traditional architectural features. A unique feature of the temple is the offering of Gharsana, or sacred paste prepared with ingredients such as milk, curd, banana, coconut, honey, jaggery and ghee which is applied on the Shivling.