Kanaka Durga Temple, Raulapali, Ganjam

Kanaka Durga Temple in Raulapali village of Ganjam District in Odisha

Kanaka Durga Temple, Raulapali, Ganjam

Address: Village: Raulapalli, Post: Antarigaon, Via: Pandia, Tehsil: Purushottampur, District: Ganjam, State: Odisha, Pin: 761043. On a small hillock in Raulapalli village.

History: This temple was built in 19th century A.D., during the Bhanja rule of ex-Ghumsar state#. Presently it is under the ownership of “Endowment Department Government of Odisha”.

The Temple: Six-armed goddess Mahisasuramardini Durga is the presiding deity of this temple along with other enshrining holy being i.e., Brahma, Ganesa, Sivani, Visnu, six headed Kartikeya, Nandi etc. The temple is decorated with wonderful architectural ornamentation in Ashlar dry masonry building technique and holds all qualities of Kalingan temple. Khandolite stone and lime plaster is applied on the exterior surface of the temple. It is said that the temple was renovated on the early 19th century, as the old one was damaged.

Approach: The temple is situated at a distance of 5km from Jaugada (famous for the rock edicts of Asoka). Catch the local transportation from Berhampur to Pandia via Purushottampur. From Pandia come to Raulapalli, traveling another 3 kilometers. You could locate the temple on the top of a granite hillock.

Note: #Previous principalities “Ghumsar” ruled by the Bhanjas and Gangas from earliest times till 1835, as it was occupied by britishers and came to an end on 3rd November, 1835.