Ranpur
Ranpur
Studded with the exquisite temple architecture of Medieval period, Ranpur was the fore-most Kingdom of many eminent Kings. Now-a-days this historical place is regarded as a famous divisional block of Nayagrah district. According to the Revenue Department, this place is called Ranpur Garh. About 30 kms away from the South East of Nayagrah, this place can be reached after crossing the Jagannath Road.
Situated near the banks of the river Mandakini, the Jagannath Temple is the pride of Ranpur. Standing at the premises of this Temple, one can visualize all the Temples of Ranpur along with the allure of Mainaka and Dhanya range of mountains which create a spiritual atmosphere all around.
Amidst all the old and new Temples of Ranpur-Shree Danda Balunkeswar, Shree Sapneswar Dev, Shree Chandeswar Dev. Shree Yogeswar, Shreebadhi Nrusingha Dev, Shree Randha Govind Dev, Shre Maa Maining, Shree Maa Mangala, Shree Hanuman and Shree Asurakumari Temple, the Shree Jagannath Temple is very notable. Behidn this Temple lies an interesting story.
Years ago, shree Uddhab Narandra, the famous King of Ranpur was a generous devotee of Lord Jagannath. To see his Lord and offer his devotion to Him, he moved every morning to Puri by his horse. At that time Puri was around 65 km away from Ranpur. So everyday he had to travel 130 km without touching food and drink. For this he usually took the help of two of his horses. One for travelling to Pruia and another from Puri to Ranpur. To make this journey from Puri to Ranpur. To make this journey easier, he had established a stable at Jankiagarh Sahi near Kansasa. On the way to Puri he had to change the horse at this stable. Because of this, he had to take only two hours for the 130 kms journey. Though it was very difficult, he never failed in his journey to Puri. Feeling sorry for him, the Lord himself appeared in a dream of King Pratap Rudra Deva to Puri. He asked the King to deliver an image of Him, out of the sixteen images, to the King of Ranpur. After this the King of Puri devoted three small images of the Lord to the King Shree Uddhab Narendra of Ranpur.
To establish these images, the King built a very beautiful Temple of 90 feet along with anther three images of 5ft inch high in the year 1363. From that day he worshipped the Lord by following the same rituals of Puri. Today the Temple is being served by sixty sevayats (Helpers) of the Lord. To improve the service of the Temple, the King and also sanctioned 80 acres of land in the name of the Temple. From these, 60 acres of land was used for paddy cultivation and another 20 acres for mangoes.
Another additional attraction of this Temple city is the ancient King’s Palace, and the architecture found there. Though this place is only 60 kms away from Bhubaneswar, one can visit this gorgeous place, comfortably.
