Akhandalamani

Akhandalamani is a Shiva shrine at Aradi on the bank of the Baitarani river in Bhadrak district, about 37 kilometres from Bhadrak town. The deity is worshipped as a self-manifested stone, and the site is called Aradi Pitha. Devotees come in large numbers, especially during Mahashivaratri and the month of Shravana, when thousands pour holy water over the deity. Many pilgrims believe that prayers offered here, and food offered to the deity, bring relief from illness and the fulfilment of wishes, which is a matter of devotion.

According to the commonly told legend, a farmer was working the king's paddy field on the Baitarani bank when his plough struck a hard object. He saw a black glazed stone, and blood flowed from it towards the river. The king is said to have found milk at the spot and a cobra coiled around the...