Aradi

ut there. With amazement Ananta ran to his land Lord, Niladri Samar Sing Mohapatra and told him every thing. Curious villagers came to the site. They found from the plough hit site some blood like substance oozing out with a pain full sound “Aah". After clearing the upper layer of the plough-hit site Lord Akhandaleswar appeared as Shiva Linga. Now the wounded portion of the Linga was clearly visible. All the viewers including Niladri Samar Sing Mohapatra trembled to see blood coming out of the head of the Shiva Linga wounded portion and the head of the Linga was filled with fresh milk and cobra (Naga) was taking bath there. Niladri Samar Sing Mohapatra could not sleep that night. Before the dawn ("Bramha Muhurta") he dreamt of a saint telling him about the incident. The saint told that since long time he was on Yoga Samadhi. When the plough hit his head he woke up from his Yoga nidra. The sanyasi revealed his identity as the Akhandaleswar of the Dwapar Yuga. As per the Lord's desire, Samar Sing Mohapatra started installation of the Shiva Linga. Five Bramhins from Nahara village of Jajpur Town were brought for this purpose. And the Shiva Linga was protected by a palm leaf umbrella. After some days the Zamindar managed to build a wooden temple for the deity with the help of villagers. Such miraculous advent of Lords Akhandaleswar spread through out the country in a short while. Pilgrims from different corners of the country flocked to that place for the lord's blessing. The then king of the erst while Rajkanika state, Harihar Bhanja Deo was suffering severely from a fatal eye disease. All treatment had failed. The king thought "May be Lord Akhandaleswar's blessings can give him a miraculous cure". He came to Aradi for a Dharana ( spiritual concentration to obtain Lord's blessings). Lord Akhandaleswar appeared in his dream and told him the way of remedy. At last king Harihar Bhanja Deo was cured by lord's benediction. As per his "Manasika", he tried to build a pucca temple for Lord Akhandaleswar at Aradi. But in those days, it was a stupendous task to build a pucca temple in a remote area like Aradi. Only stone blocks and lime composition constituted materials for pucca temple. Stone blocks were available on the hills of Nilagiri located about 100 Kms from Aradi and transportation of those blocks to Aradi was done along the water way of the river Baitarani. The king made preliminary arrangements to build a pucca temple. He dug a large pond near the proposed site of the temple, which now stands as an immortal proof and is named "Shiva Ganga". The king dug a canal from the pond to the river Baitarani which is a*o available now and is named 'Shiva Mahara' to connect the river with the pond. It facilitated country boats to carry materials for construction of the pucca temple. The King Harihar Bhanja Deo passed away in 1839 AD. His queen Satyabhama Patamahadei completed what her husband had started. Now the temple stands as an immortal deed of King Harihar Bhanja Deo and Satyabhama Patta mahadei. As per government record, in 1839 Akhandaleswar temple at Aradi was a wooden temple and the present temple was built after 1839. Festivals
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Their are many fairs and festivals observed at the temple of Baba Akhandalamani, but the principal among them is the Mahasivaratri. On this day pilgrims and devotees inside and outside the state are assembled and worship Akhandalamani at Aradi. BOOL-BOOM devotees come to Aradi in large number from different areas in the month of Sravana to worship the God and pour holy water over the LINGA. The BOOL-BOOM devotees carry holy water from different rivers of India like Ganges, Baitarani, Mahanadi, Salandi etc with a bamboo lever. Chandanchapa and Siva Vivaha is also famous festivals. Lord Akhandalamani is unique and omnipotent. How to reach there
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By Air:
Nearest airport: Biju Patnaik Airport, Bhubanewsar
Distance to Aradi: 160 km
There are frequent buses from Bhubaneswar to Bhadrak. 2-3 buses also connect directly between Bhubaneswar and Aradi. By Train:
Nearest railway station: Bhadrak Railway Station, Charampa, Bhadrak
Distance to Aradi: 43 km

By Bus:
From Bhadrak bus stop (near Banta Chhakk) by bus via Asurali, Kothara and Dhusuri. Distance: 38km
From Bhadrak bus stop to Aradi it will take hardly 1hr 45 mins by bus. There are frequent buses from Bhadrak to Aradi. But after 6PM it is difficult to get any bus. By Boat:
From Chanbali by boat through the river Baitarani. Distance: 13km
From Chandbali ferry ghat to Aradi it will take hardly 1 hr by boat.