Aakhandalamani, Aaradi
The celebrated Akhandalamani temple, the abode of “Lord Siva” is located at the bank of river Baitarani, at Aradi, 37km away from the district head quarter of Bhadrak towards east by road via Asurali, Kothara and Dhusuri.
According to legends, around 350 years ago during the rule of Raja Sri Niladri Samara Singha Mohapatra, one morning the Raja sent a peasant to cultivate his Paddy field, located on the bank of the river Baitarani. While cultivating, the blade of his plough was broken on striking a solid material. Astonished, the peasant discovered a black glazed granite stone drenched in blood flowing towards the river Baitarani. Afraid, the peasant called the King. The king Niladrisamar Singh hurriedly came to the spot, and discovered an overflow of milk replaced by blood and a huge black cobra hooding the stone. On that night the king had a dream regarding the arrival of the God Akhandalamani on that place. The news spread like wild fire. The following day, the king Niladri Samara Singha Mohapatra started worshiping the great god and immediately built a wooden temple on the spot. A large number of devotees from different villages started visiting and worshiping the deity. The king invited five Brahmins from a village named Naharagrama of Jajapur district to perform seva-puja (Worshiping and taking care) of lord Akhandalamani.
Structure of Baba Akhandalamani Temple, Orissa:
The King of Konika Shri Harihara Bhanja and his queen Satyabhama Patadei built the main temple of Aradi. The height of the temple is around 150 ft. The stones used in this temple were brought from the historic hill of Lalitgiri near Chandikhol. A sage named Shri Narasingha Pratap Kumar built the entrance main Hall and a noted sage named Shri Darshan Sekhara Das built the surrounding wall of the temple.
Festivals of Baba Akhandalamani Temple, Orissa:
Several fairs and festivals observed at the temple of Baba Akhandalamani, but the principal among them is the Mahasivaratri. On this day pilgrims and devotees within and outside the state are assembled and worship Akhandalamani at Aradi. Devotees come to Aradi in large number from different areas in the month of Sravana to worship the God and pour holy water over the lingam. The devotees carry holy water from different rivers of India like Ganges, Baitarani, Mahanadi, Salandi etc with a bamboo lever.
About the Deity and the Temple
Hight of the Linga 33 inches
Circumference of the Linga 45 inches
Circumference of the Shakti 52 inches
Hight of the Temple 50 feet
Dimension of Gambhira 22’ x 22’