Ladu Baba Temple

Getting there

• By air

  Biju Patnaik International Airport, Bhubaneswar, is the nearest airport, about 95 km away.

• By train

  Nayagada Town railway station is about 46 km away. Bhubaneswar railway station, 80 km away, is the preferred railhead.

• By road

  Odisha Tourism says the temple is well connected by road via Sarankul, a small town in Nayagarh district.

Why devotees come here

Ladu Baba Temple stands at Sarankul in Nayagarh district, Odisha. It is a Shiva temple, worshipped as Laddukeshwar, and is known for offering laddus to the deity. The temple sits at the foot of Bhandar hill.

Ladu Baba Temple is dedicated to Shiva, worshipped here as Laddukeshwar. The temple is renowned for its tradition of offering laddus, a sweet, to the presiding deity. Devotees also see the deity offered 66 dishes of various bhogs, the food offerings made to the deity. It is an important pilgrimage for Shaivites, the devotees of Shiva, in southern Odisha. Unlike most Hindu temples, its prayers have traditionally been conducted by priests from low-caste communities.

Legend says the hill beside the temple was the ammunition store of the demon Banasura. The temple dates back to medieval times and shows a fusion of Kalinga and Dravidian architecture, the two temple-building styles it blends.

Maha Shivaratri is the major festival here, popularly known as Jagara Yatra, and it is celebrated every year. It falls on Falguna Shukla Chaturdasi, a date in the Odia calendar. The temple lies in Sarankul, a small town in Nayagarh district, Odisha.

Festivals

• Falguna Shukla Chaturdasi, Odia calendarMaha Shivaratri (Jagara Yatra)

  The major festival of the temple, celebrated every year.

Tips for your visit

• Odisha Tourism lists Neelamadhaba Temple at Kantilo as a nearby attraction.
• Odisha Tourism also lists Satkosia Gorge and Tiger Reserve as a nearby attraction.

Questions people ask