The Ramachandi Temple is another popular temple of Konark, apart from the famous Konark Sun Temple. It is one of the famous 'Shakti Pithas' of Puri. Situated 5 kilometers from Konark, people also include this temple in many available Puri Tour Packages for tour and travel. The temple is located at the river mouth of the Kushabhadra river, which is also a sight for boating and picnic activities. The deity of this temple is Goddess Ramachandi, while some also used to say the deity was that of Goddess Mayadevi, wife of Surya. Ramachandi Temple and Beach boating are worth an experience, and one can find them on various lists about Places to visit in puri Individually.

Legends & Myths

There are always various legends linked to places of religious significance. Similarly, this temple, too, has many stories to tell. One of the famous stories is that of Kalapahad. Kalapahad was a prominent Hindu Brahmin Youth who converted to Islam and vowed to destroy all the temples of Hindu worship in the 17th Century. Kalapahad is also considered the one behind the destruction of the Konark Sun Temple.

When Kalapahad proceeded toward the Ramachandi Temple to destroy it, the Goddess Ramachandi, disguised as a Maluni (maidservant), asked Kalapahad to wait at the temple's door till she brought some water for him from the river. After being exhausted by staying, Kalapahad entered the temple restlessly and found the idle missing. Suspecting the girl to be responsible for it, he proceeded to the river to find her. And there, he found the idol floating in the middle of the river. The river was also outpouring which prevented Kalapahad from reaching the idol, and so he went back. Following this incident, Goddess Ramachandi came in a priest's dream and asked him to build a temple by the Kushabhadra river. And thus, the construction of this temple occurred near it.

Ramachandi Temple and Beach Boating Activities

The Ramachandi Coral Reef is one of India's famous living coral reefs, present offshore from the Ramachandi Temple. With the construction of the Marine Drive Road, the Ramachandi area on the banks of the river Kushabhadra which drains into the Bay of Bengal, is a beautiful place for relaxation and also picnic activities. The local boatmen have started boating and jetty operations near the area so that tourists can visit the mouth of the Bay of Bengal. Ramachandi Temple and Beach Boating allow you to see the temple and further enjoy the pleasant atmosphere of the area and the riverside.