temple
Harishankar Temple, Gandhamardan
Harishankara Mandira, Gandhamardana
- Bolangir
- deities worshipped here2
Harishankar Temple stands on the southern slope of the Gandhamardan hills in Balangir district, among streams and forest. The deity is worshipped as Harishankar, a joint form of Vishnu and Shiva. The shrine faces the Nrusinghanath Temple on the opposite slope, with an old plateau between them that holds Buddhist ruins. Pilgrims come on Ekadashi, Sankranti and Shivaratri, and for the Maagha Mela.
quick facts
- district
Bolangir
- best time to visit
Around Shivaratri, Makar Sankranti and the Maagha Mela, when the temple holds its main gatherings.
- dress code
Ethnic or traditional dress is customary.
know before you go
do
- Plan the visit around daylight hours for the hill road
- Carry water, as the shrine is on a forested slope
- Arrange return transport in advance if you travel by train
avoid
- Do not pick plants or herbs from the hill
- Do not leave litter in the stream or forest
- Do not wander off marked paths on the slope
safety
The shrine is on a forested hill slope with a stream. Wear sturdy footwear and take care on wet rock.
how to reach
The nearest railway station is Harishankar Road, about 32 km from the temple, and taxis run from the station to the shrine. Another travel listing places the temple about 81 km from Balangir town. The sources consulted do not name an airport.
address: Harishankar, Gandhamardan hills, Bolangir district, Odisha
history and significance
why it matters
Harishankar joins Hari (Vishnu) and Shankar (Shiva) in one deity, and so draws both Vaishnava and Shaiva worshippers. The Gandhamardan hills are also tied in Hindu tradition to the episode in which Hanuman carried a mountain of herbs for Lakshmana, and the hills are known for medicinal plants.
history
According to Wikipedia, the deity was discovered by a Chauhan king of the Patna kingdom in the 14th century and has been worshipped since. The temple is said to have been built on the order of Queen Durlabha Devi, wife of Maharaja Vaijjal Dev Chauhan. A dancing Ganesha image found at the site is traced to the early 12th century, which suggests older worship on the hill.
The plateau between this shrine and the Nrusinghanath Temple holds ancient Buddhist ruins, considered remnants of the old Parimalgiri learning centre. These dates come from a single encyclopaedic source and have not been independently confirmed.
what to see
Wikipedia classes the temple as Kalinga style and gives no further structural detail. The setting is its main feature: a forested hill slope with a stream running over a granite bed.
rituals and festivals
According to Wikipedia, the temple observes every Ekadashi and Sankranti, and holds special gatherings on Shivaratri, Makar Sankranti and the Maagha Mela.
nearby
- Nrusinghanath Temple, on the opposite slope of the Gandhamardan hills, in Bargarh district
- Patora Dam
- Kantabanji, Bangomunda and Harihara, listed as nearby places on Wikipedia
other temples nearby1
questions visitors ask
Who is worshipped at Harishankar Temple?
The deity is Harishankar, a joint form of Vishnu (Hari) and Shiva (Shankar), so the temple draws both Vaishnava and Shaiva devotees.
When does the temple hold its main gatherings?
Wikipedia lists every Ekadashi and Sankranti, and Shivaratri, Makar Sankranti and the Maagha Mela as the main occasions.
How is it connected to Nrusinghanath Temple?
The two shrines stand on opposite slopes of the Gandhamardan hills, with a plateau of old Buddhist ruins between them. Harishankar is on the southern slope and Nrusinghanath on the northern.