Ladu Baba
Ladu Baba Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva worshiped as Ladukeshwar but affectionately called Ladu Baba in the town of Saranakul in Nayagarh District of Odisha. Ladu Baba is situated 100 kms from Bhubaneswar on the Nayagrah- Aska Road and 13 kms from Nayagarh town. The city is regarded as Hari (Vishnu) and Hara (Shiva). This is another major Shaivite Shrine. There is always a throng of people here waiting to see the Lord. People from all over Orissa come here to celebrate the major festival Mahasivaratri. So the place radiates on the occasion of Mahashivaratri.
The Lingam
The Lingam i.e. Lord Ladubaba is shaped like an open-umbrella. On him there is the mark of sacred thread. On One side HARA , on the other side is HARI.The Lord has carried the KAPILA cow’s foot mark.Around Him There present a big SAKTI. So the Lingam is looking a little small.
The Architecture of the of the Temple
The temple is built in Rekha Style. Its height is 60 feet from the PADMAPRUSTHA. Its shape is like a RATHA (Wooden Car). It has five temples, i.e. the main MANDIR, the MUKHASHALA, the GHANTABAJA, the MAHANA, & NATA MANDIR, having symmetry with Lord Panchanan. The temple is made of hard BAULAMALA stone. The stones are brought from GAYALASINGH, SULIA and KOMANDA of Nayagarh District. The foundation of the temple is made of laterite stone. The stone before use was cut in a special way and was then polished to make smooth. After that they were joined with a special type of gum. In the main temple no iron was used. But for durability in later days iron was used in the basement of the main temple to join stones with each other. Stone lintels were used. The temple is on 20° east longitude. For this only the temple is placed a little to the north on the PADMAPRUSTHA(basement) so that sun rays on 21st march and 23rd September fall on the LINGA. For this cause the south side of the PADMAPRUSTHA is wider than the north side. Lord Ganesh, lord Kartika and Ganga Mata were placed as PARSHWA DEVATA. The temple occupies an area of 1.16 Acers.
Time of Construction of the Temple
According to sculpture books stones fall down from a temple after near about 1000 years of its construction. About 100 years ago a piece of stone was fallen down from LADUBABA temple. According to this source the age of the temple is near about 1100 years. That means the temple was built on 9th or 10th century AD.
Miracle of LORD LADUBABA
The first event: – During the flood period of 1972, a GUHARIA (One devotee who wishes a boon during his period i.e. 21 days of stay in the temple) , who was floating like a dead body on the water in the BEDHA when the temple campus was full with water , without sense . In the meanwhile a pigeon from the top of the temple came flying and crashed and smashed against the devotee’s body and then the GUHARIA got life and got up before the public who noticed eagerly standing silently.
The second event :- When Eshwar Chandra Behera was the sub-collector of Nayagarh district, a devotee came to temple for a boon and he took the holy name of Lord Siva cutting his throat. then he lost his sense and fell down. The Brahmin Sevaka when sprinkled PADUKA on him , he rose and was found with spotless throat with a new life.
The third event :- A GUHARIA cut his tongue into two pieces and threw the top piece. After some time when he got up he was found to talk clearly with as usual tongue. Thanks to the blessing of Lord Ladubaba.
In this age of science what is more miraculous than this ? Regarding to the fishes of the temple pond there are so many sayings which are full of mystery. Besides them the preparation of GAJA & KADAMBA creates so many questions in every body’s mind having seen its shape , size and its Highness.
In the universe Lord Ladubaba is more miraculous than the black hole. Scientists may achieve success to uncover the mystery of black hole but to find out whose starting point and ending point, Lord Brahma & Lord Vishnu are unable and for whom flower KETAKI became untouchable , being human beings we are trifle before the unique and really helpless without his mercy to penetrate His mystery.
