The Mahavinayak Temple, Chandikhole

The Mahavinayak temple located in Chandikhole in Jajpur district of Odisha. It is a major center of pilgrimage and one of the oldest temples of Lord Ganesha in Odisha. This temple was constructed by the Kings of the Keshari Dynasty of Odisha during the 12^th century and later it became the centre of worship of King Darpan. The specialty of this temple is that the five different gods, which are worshipped in five different ‘kshetras’ of Odisha, are worshipped in a single deity in a single sanctum sanctorum here. In none other Hindu temple such a deity or idol or tradition of worship exists.

There are the five different deities who are worshipped in five different ‘kshetras’ (religious centers) in Odisha.  These deities are: Lord Ganesha (or Vinayaka) in Mahavinayaka Hills, Lord Vishnu as Jagannath in Puri, Lord Shiva in Bhubaneswar, Goddess Durga as Biraja in Jajpur and Lord Surya (Sun) at Konark, and they are known as the Panch Devatas. The Mahavinayak Temple enshrines all the Panch Devatas in one Lingam and since it is majorly Lord Ganesha is revered here, hence the name Mahavinayak.

The Mahavinayak Temple is very important in Hindu mythology. According to Hindu myhtology, Rati Devi, the wife of Kamadev, worshipped here for the release of her husband from the curse of Lord Shiva. As she was praying to Lord Ganesha, simultaneously five hands were stretched out towards her to bless her and she landed in a state of dilemma. Then she prayed to Lord Bramhaand he told her that the five Gods Ganesha,Vishnu, Shiva, Durga and Surya had been pleased with her prayers and they simultaneously streched out their hands to bless her and accept her prayers. So Kamadev was released thereafter and from that day onwards the five Gods, Panch Devatas, are being worshiped together here in one Lingam made of granite stone which had emerged from the earth here. As per an another legend the detached head of Lord Ganesha fell at this place and hence the place came to be known as Vinayak Kshetra.

The temple hasa perenial spring nearby the temple where devotees take a dip in the holy waters. The Mahavinayak Temple has been included in the "Golden Triangle Pilgrimage Plan" with a few other nearby places such as Goddess Chandi Temple, Rantagiri & Lalitgiri (Buddhist Sculpture centers), Udaigiri and Chatia Bata.

For more information on various Ganesh Temples, visit Ishtadevata.