Kanchi Ganesh Temple

Getting there

• By air

  The nearest airport is Biju Patnaik International Airport (BBI) in Bhubaneswar.

• By train

  The nearest railway station is Balugaon Railway Station (BALU).

Rules to know

• Each day Ganesha receives 21 sweet delicacies as offerings.

Why devotees come here

Kanchi Ganesh Temple stands in the sacred city of Puri, Odisha, and is dedicated to Ganesha as the remover of obstacles. It is also popularly called Manikarnika Ganesha Temple. Its black stone idol is believed to have come from Kanchipuram district in Tamil Nadu.

The temple is dedicated to Ganesha as the remover of obstacles. At its core stands a black stone Ganesha with a reddish hue from sindoor. The idol draws admiration from devotees near and far. Shrines to Shiva, Devi Durga and Hanuman are also inside its sanctum.

Legend says the temple was built where Shiva's earring fell during his celestial Tandava dance. Legend links its foundation to a king of the Khurda dynasty in the 16th century, but the exact date remains unknown. The temple's heritage is described as over 300 years old.

The name comes from the black stone idol, which is believed to have come from Kanchipuram district of Tamil Nadu. The complex is noted for its carvings and sculptures, which show the skill and devotion of ancient artisans, and its sacred tank is said to contain healing waters.

Festivals

• On Ganesh ChaturthiGanesh Chaturthi

  When Ganesh Chaturthi arrives, celebrations fill the temple premises, with heartfelt prayers from worshippers and deep devotion from devotees.

Tips for your visit

• Visitors regularly feed the turtles in the sacred pond.
• Hinduism considers the turtles in the pond sacred creatures.
• Ganesha idols of various sizes and materials are sold in shops and markets nearby.
• Puri's handicrafts, such as applique work, sand art and shell crafts, also make good souvenirs.

Questions people ask