Paradeep Port
One of the major attractions in Jagatsinghpur, Paradeep, lies 63 km from Jagatsinghpur and 100 km from Bhubaneswar. Paradeep serves as one of the major ports of India and acts as the main outlet and i...
Jagatsinghapur
Sarala culture integrates the three core traditions of Hindu worship: Vedic, Tantric, and Vaishnav. Among the eight Shakti Pithas in Odisha, Jhankad Pitha holds a prominent place. Here, the main deity, Maa Sarala, appears as an eight-armed stone idol. Worship at the temple includes offerings of both bael leaves and tulasi leaves—a rare practice not commonly seen in other temples. The temple celebrates many festivals throughout the year. The major ones include Sharadiya Utsav, Pana Sankranti, Dola Purnima, and Chandan Jatra. During Mahavishuva Pana Sankranti, the temple hosts the vibrant Jhamu Jatra. On Dola Purnima, beautifully decorated palanquins carrying idols from nearby areas arrive in the early morning and join the celebration with the Goddess. Maa Sarala manifests here as a supreme Vaishnavi, and devotees worship her through a harmonious fusion of Vedic and Tantric rituals. In the puranic point of view, Sarala Das (Sidheswar Parida), as a farmer, was an ardent follower of the goddess Sarala, and it was after her blessing that Sidheswar Parida became Sarala Das, the great author of Odia Mahabharata.
The Sarala temple stands in the district of Jagatsinghpur, Odisha. Conveniently located, roads connect this temple to Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, and Paradeep, making it easily accessible. Roads also link the nearest airport, Bhubaneshwar, approximately 80 km away, to the temple. The nearest railway station is Cuttack; however, there is a small Passenger Halt at Sarala Road, near Tentulipada. Every day, three buses come from Cuttack Badamabadi to Sarala Pitha. One can fetch a bus leaving Cuttack Badambadi bus stand to Paradeep every 15 minutes.
