Kedar Gouri

The Kedar Gouri Temple is actually a set of two separate temples. Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati enlighten here. It is located in a shared arena and is among the popular places to visit in Bhubaneshwar. A tour of this temple exists along with most of the Bhubaneswar Tour Packages along with other temples in the nearby area.

History of Kedar Gouri Temple

According to local legends, Lalatendu Keshari, the king of Utkal, built the Kedar Gouri temple as a tribute to the two lovers. The two lovers were Kedar and Gouri. They could not ever unite as lovers in the eyes of society. And, they faced a tragic ending following their decision to elope together from the village.

Within the arena stands the Kedar temple whose architecture is quite similar to that of the Siddheshwara temple. According to locals, the Ganga dynasty kings built this temple around the 12th Century CE. The temple is home to a Shivalinga named Kedareshwara. This temple, similar to the Rajarani temple, belongs to the ‘Pancharatha’ style of architecture; the examples of which, one can find in Central Indian temples.

The Gauri temple on the other hand was built in an entirely different period. According to locals, this temple belongs to the Somavamsi period around the 10th Century CE. This temple is thus much older than the Kedar Temple. As it is not very far from the main city airport and railway station; one can reach the temple by various modes including public transport like cabs and autos.

Interesting Facts About Kedar Gouri Temple

The most interesting part about the Kedar Gouri temple complex is that it also has other separate small shrines dedicated to Shiva, Hanuman, Durga, and Ganesha. The jamb of this temple complex’s door is intricately carved with the nine cosmic influences. According to Hindu astrology, the name of these nine cosmic influences is the ‘Navagraha’. The temple compound also has two separate ponds. The names of these ponds are the ‘Khira kund’ and the ‘Maricha Kund’. According to popular beliefs, the water from the Khira Kund has sacred powers that free man from the cycle of birth and death, while the water from the Maricha Kund has powers that cure infertility in women. 

As a local ritual every year, during the auspicious time of the ‘Shital Shashthi Festival’ (which is originally a festival belonging to the celebration of the marriage between Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati) Lord Lingaraj (Lord Shiva) shifts from the Lingaraja temple to the Gouri temple to marry Devi Parvati. This is quite a grand procession and therefore tourists can plan their visits accordingly to witness the festival indeed.