Alarnath in Odisha

The state of Orissa is an immense treasure not only of natural resources, architectural monuments and human resources but the same is also having interesting rituals of worship. In this nexus, while Lord Jagannath of Puri is regarded as the prime deity his rituals are very much identical to the lifestyle of human being. Like, he falls ill after a grand bathe on the Devasnana Purnima and then falls ill. In this two week nobody is allowed for a darshan in Puri, but interestingly it is believed that during this tenure one can earn the same amount of virtues visiting his abode in Bramhagiri. There, he is worshipped in the name Alarnath. Himanshu Guru attempts to provide a brief report on this temporary abode of the Lord.

Legend

In the Satya Yuga, Lord Brahma, one of the Hindu trinity came and worshipped Lord Vishnu in today’s Brahmagiri atop a hill. Pleased with his endeavor, Lord Vishnu surfaced before him and advised him to raise a four-armed Deity of him holding conch shell, disk, club and lotus in his arms. He also hinted that the Deity should be made off from a piece of black stone and the stature of his ‘bahana’ Garuda should also be erected. The lord named the place as Brahmagiri since Lord Brahma worshipped him there.

The tale of Sri Chaitanya

Legendary saint Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who is also believed as an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, was an ardent devotee of Lord Jagannath. He used to visit the Lord’s abode at Puri regularly. Yet, as per the ritual, once during Anasara period, when the lord is believed to have fallen sick and so darshan was not allowed in Srimandira, Chaitanya was restricted from darshan. It was too intolerable for the devotee to live for long 15 days without getting a glimpse of the God. It is believed, being impressed by his devotion, Lord Jagannath advised in his dreams to visit him in the temple of Alarnath in Brahmagiri. Accordingly the saint visited Alarnath and got a glimpse of his cherished God. Even a piece of stone (shila) found in the temple premises is believed to be the one where the saint stood to get darshan of the God.

History

As per history long ago Alwars visited the famous shrine in Brahmagiri and the temple was named after their name as Alvarnaath which was later simplified to Alarnath. 

Location

Alarnatha temple is located in Brahmagiri block around 20 kms away from the district head quarter of Puri. The place is well connected in roadways through National Highway 203A. Puri railway station is the nearest railhead while the Biju Patnaik Airport in Bhubaneswar is the nearest airport to the place.

Festivities

Alarnath is not a very famous place around the year but the temple witnesses thousands of devotees/tourists during the Anasara period that falls normally in the month of June each year. For fifteen days during the krishnapaksha of Ashadha, after the Snana Yatra when lord Jagannath of Puri cannot be visited, large number of people visits Alarnath.

Kheer, the sweet offering

It becomes crowded During this period, popularly known as Anasara or 'Anavasara' (literally meaning no opportunity to see the lord of Puri), instead of having darshan in Jagannath temple, people believe that Lord Jagannath during this time manifests as Alarnath Dev, at the Alarnath temple in Brahmagiri.

Temple Timings

The Temple opens at 6 AM and closes at 9:30PM.Morning Baal Bhoga is offered and mid day different kinds of rice, daal and vegetable curries with Payasam is offered. In the night different kinds of Pitha and Khichudi with Plantain fry is offered. During Anavasara time the Payasa or Kheeri bhoga offered to Alvarnaath Swami is much hyped and in demand.

Anasara in year 2015

Year 2015 being the Nabakalebara year, Anasara of Lord Jagannath will continue for 45 days unlike other normal years when the normal span of Anasara is two weeks. Accordingly, this year devotees can take the privilege of darshan of Lord Alarnath in Bramhagiri for 45 days.

Alarnath temple in Brahmagiri, Puri District, Odisha