Buddhanath Temple is a Shiva temple in the village of Garedi Panchana in the Balipatna block of Khordha district, about 22 km from Bhubaneswar. According to the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts record, the presiding deity is a patalaphuta Shiva linga within a circular chlorite shakti pitha. The record assigns the temple to the 13th century, in Ganga rule, and lists it as a protected monument of the Odisha State Archaeology. A Devi shrine of the goddess Amrutalochana stands in the same complex.
quick facts
- district
Khordha
- dress code
Ethnic or traditional dress is customary.
how to reach
The temple is about 22 km from Bhubaneswar by road. It stands on the left side of the road from Uttara Chowk on the Bhubaneswar to Puri road towards Banamalipur, about 10.5 km from Uttara Chowk according to the IGNCA record. Bhubaneswar has the nearest airport and main railway station.
address: Garedi Panchana, Balipatna, Khordha district, Odisha
history and significance
why it matters
The temple is dedicated to Shiva as Buddhanath. Writers describe it as built on tantric principles, and a Devi shrine of Amrutalochana stands in its complex.
history
The Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts documentation assigns the temple to Ganga rule and the 13th century, possibly its first quarter, and records it as renovated and conserved by the Odisha State Archaeology under the X and XI Finance Commission awards in 1999 and again in 2008. Wikipedia calls it a 12th century temple and an eOdisha article calls it 11th century, so the date is disputed. No inscription naming a builder was found in the sources consulted. The press reported further renovation with 14th Finance Commission funds in 2013.
what to see
The IGNCA record describes a vimana that is saptaratha on plan up to the bada and panchangabada in elevation, and a jagamohana that is also saptaratha on plan and panchangabada in elevation. Writers also describe the temple as built on tantric principles.
nearby
other temples nearby5
questions visitors ask
Who is worshipped at Buddhanath Temple?
Shiva, worshipped here as Buddhanath.
How old is the temple?
Sources differ. The Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts record assigns it to the 13th century in Ganga rule, Wikipedia gives the 12th century and an eOdisha article gives the 11th century.
How far is it from Bhubaneswar?
About 22 km by road, in the Balipatna block of Khordha district.