Chandaneswar Temple

Getting there

• By air

  The nearest airport to Balasore city is Biju Patnaik Airport in Bhubaneswar, about 200 km from Balasore.

• By train

  Balasore railway station is on the Howrah-Chennai main line of South Eastern Railway.

• By road

  Regular transport runs from Jaleswar in Odisha and from Digha in West Bengal.

Rules to know

• To worship here, devotees must register their name with the temple committee.

Why devotees come here

Chandaneswar Temple is a famous Shiva temple in Chandaneswar, Balasore district, Odisha. Shiva is worshipped here in a lingam that legend says rose up on its own. It is built in the Kalinga style of old Odisha temples, and several large fairs are held here each year.

Chandaneswar is famous for its Shiva temple. Local accounts say Shiva rose up through the underworld, so the lingam here is believed to be self-manifested, or swayambhu. Legend says a woman named Lakshmi was the first to see the lingam.

Local accounts date the temple to the Bargi period, about three hundred years ago. It was built in the Kalinga style of old Odisha temples. Bol Bom devotees bring holy water to the lingam in the holy month of Shravan.

The Pana Sankranti fair marks the Odia new year and is held on the temple premises. The Chadak fair runs for 13 days, and a large fair is held on 14 April every year. Worship here needs a name registered with the temple committee, so ask the committee before you go.

Festivals

• Pana Sankranti, the first day of the Odia calendarPana Sankranti fair

  A huge annual fair is held on the temple premises for the Odia Hindu solar New Year.

• Lasts 13 daysChadak fair

  The fair continues for 13 days.

• 14 April every yearAnnual fair on 14 April

  A large fair is set up here each year on 14 April.

• Holy month of ShravanBol Bom

  Bol Bom devotees offer holy water on the Shiva lingam during Shravan.

Tips for your visit

• Register your name with the temple committee before you go, since worship here requires it.
• Talsari Beach is about 5 km from the temple and 32 km from Jaleswar.

Questions people ask