The Gorakhnath Temple at Gorekhanath in Jagatsinghpur district is the shrine of the Nath yogi Gorakhnath, and the Odisha endowments portal describes it as one of the powerful shrines of the region. According to local tradition, the yogi meditated here so long that an anthill grew over him, and he sat with his teacher Matsyendranath under a banyan tree. A travel blog says the main temple is built alongside the roots of that banyan, and devotees tie sacred threads on the tree to ask for a wish. The complex has three gates, a pond and a Shiva temple.
quick facts
- district
Jagatsinghpur
- dress code
Ethnic or traditional dress is customary.
how to reach
The Odisha endowments portal places the temple about 65 km from Bhubaneswar, in Jagatsinghpur district. Bhubaneswar has the nearest airport and a main railway station. Gorekhanath has its own railway station, Gorakhnath (GRKN), on the Cuttack to Paradip line, about 10 km from Jagatsinghpur town. A travel blog gives about 1 hour 30 minutes by car from Cuttack.
address: Gorekhanath, Jagatsinghpur district, Odisha 754133
history and significance
why it matters
Gorakhnath is regarded as a great yogi of the Nath tradition, and the Odisha endowments portal describes this shrine as one of the powerful shrines of the region.
history
According to local tradition, Gorakhnath meditated at this place for so long that an anthill grew over his body. A temple blog adds that he and his teacher Matsyendranath set up a meditation seat under a banyan tree, and that the tree is believed to be where the yogi himself sat. No founding date, builder or inscription was available in the sources consulted, so the age of the present temple is not stated here. The legend is told as tradition and is not documented in an independent historical source.
what to see
A travel blog describes the main temple as built alongside the roots of a large banyan tree. The complex has three gates, a nearby pond and a separate Shiva temple, with monkeys and birds around the tree. No measured architectural description was found.
rituals and festivals
Devotees tie sacred threads on the large banyan tree beside the temple as an offering for a wish. One travel blog says crowds swell at Mahashivratri.
nearby
other temples nearby1
questions visitors ask
Who is Gorakhnath?
Gorakhnath is a revered yogi of the Nath tradition and a follower of Matsyendranath. This temple at Gorekhanath in Jagatsinghpur district is his shrine.
What is the banyan tree for?
Devotees tie sacred threads on the large banyan beside the temple as an offering. Tradition holds that the yogi meditated at this tree.
How far is it from Bhubaneswar?
The Odisha endowments portal gives about 65 km.