| Ramachandi Temple | |
|---|---|
 Maa Ramachandi temple | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Hinduism |
| District | Puri |
| Deity | Goddess Ramachandi |
| Festivals | Handi Bhanga Yatra |
| Status | Functioning |
| Location | |
| Location | NH 316, Puri-Konark Marine Drive Road, Kahalakatapatana |
| State | Odisha |
| Country | India |
  Shown within Odisha | |
| Coordinates | 19°51′16″N86°03′33″E / 19.854580°N 86.059211°E /19.854580; 86.059211 |
TheRamachandi Temple is located on the banks of theKusabhadra River where it flows into theBay of Bengal. It is about 5 km fromKonark in thePuri District ofOdisha, India. Some believe that Goddess Ramachandi, the deity ofKonark, is the presidingdeity of this temple, while others believe it was dedicated to Mayadevi, the wife ofSurya (the Sun God).
The Temple of GoddessRamachandi, situated at the mouth of Kushabhadra River, is a popular picnic spot.[citation needed] It lies 7 km before Konark on the Marine Drive road fromPuri toKonark. Ramachandi is popularly believed to be the presiding deity of Konark, and the most benevolentChandi known. It is certainly more ancient than theSun Temple at Konark. From the architectural point of view, the temple of Ramachandi is not important but from the religious point of view, it is one of the famousShakta pithas of Odisha.[1][2]
Before the construction of the Marine Drive road, the place was not accessible to outside visitors. However it attracted a large number of local devotees to offersacrifices or 'Bali' in the month of Ashwina.[citation needed]
A legend regarding the deity is popular among the locals.Kalapahad, the rebel Hindu Brahmin youth who got converted to Islam, vowed to destroy all the temples of Hindu worship during the 17th century. After destroying the Sun temple, Kalapahad approached Ramachandi temple to destroy it. Then Goddess Ramachandi dressed as aMaluni (a maid servant) asked Kalapahad to wait at the door till she brings water from the river for the Goddess. Kalapahad anxiously waited for a long time to get some cold water. When it was too late and the Maluni did not return he was exhausted and entered inside the temple and found the throne empty. Then he thought the Maluni took away the deity with her and with anger he followed theMaluni. When he reached the bank of the Kushabhadra river he found the goddess Ramachandi floating in the middle of the river. At that time the river was outpouring, so he came back without being able to reach the middle of the river. Then Goddess Ramachandi came in dream of aPanda (priest) and told him to build a temple on the bank of the Kushabhadra river. This place is now known as Ramachandi. Throughout the year many visitors come here to get the blessing of Goddess Ramachandi and to enjoy the scenery of river Kushabhadra and Bay of Bengal.[3]
Now the temple has collapsed leaving remains of its broken walls and the empty throne. There is no historical evidence to conclude about its presiding deity.[4]
Media related toRamachandi temple at Wikimedia Commons
