Bhadrakali Temple stands on the outskirts of Aharapada village, a few kilometres from Bhadrak town in Bhadrak district. The black granite image shows the goddess seated in lotus posture on a lion, and because of the lion some worshippers see her as Durga while others call her Kali. Bhadrak town is popularly believed to take its name from her. Crowds gather in large numbers at Vijaya Dashami and Deepavali. The temple keeps a daily schedule with a break in the early afternoon, according to the listed timings.
quick facts
- district
Bhadrak
- timings
Listed as daily, 6:30 am to 1 pm and 3 pm to 9:30 pm. Check locally before visiting, since festival days can change the schedule.
- dress code
Ethnic or traditional dress is customary.
how to reach
The temple is about 5 to 8 km from Bhadrak town: the Odisha government's Bhadrak page gives 5 km, by the route through Santhia and Utarabahini from Kacheri Chhaka, and Wikipedia gives 8 km. The district page puts Bhadrak Railway Station about 6 km from the temple, and Bhadrak town lies on NH 16. Bhubaneswar has the nearest major airport, about 130 km from Bhadrak.
address: Aharapada, Bhadrak district, Odisha
history and significance
why it matters
The goddess is the namesake deity of Bhadrak. Pilgrims come especially at Vijaya Dashami and Deepavali to seek her blessing.
history
According to tradition, the goddess was first worshipped in a cave on Meghasana hill in Mayurbhanj district by a sage, Tapasa Rushi. After his death his pupil Bhadranatha is said to have moved her to Bhunyamahalla in Bhadrak. To protect the image from Kalapahad, the Dikshits then moved her to the present site. The account is local legend and no dated record was found in the sources consulted, so the age of the shrine is not stated here. The identity of the goddess as Kali or Durga is discussed among worshippers and is not settled by the sources.
what to see
The main image is carved in black granite and shows the goddess seated in lotus posture on a lion. A tourism blog calls the temple Kalinga style, which is not an authoritative source, so no further architectural claim is made here.
rituals and festivals
Vijaya Dashami and Deepavali draw the largest crowds. Odisha Bytes reports a seven day Kali Puja at the temple, with the goddess adorned in a different form each day, including a Mahakali form on the second day.
questions visitors ask
Is Bhadrakali Kali or Durga?
Worshippers differ. The image sits on a lion, so some regard her as Durga, while others call her Kali.
When is the temple busiest?
At Vijaya Dashami and Deepavali, when large crowds gather.
Is Bhadrak named after the goddess?
It is popularly believed that the town takes its name from the deity Bhadrakali.
