Information of Ladu Baba Temple, Sarankul, Nayagarh, Odisha

The Ladu Baba temple is a Hindu Temple earlier known as Kainchhi Temple. It is located in the east coast of India in Sarankul, district Nayagarh of Orissa now known as Odisha. In Bhubaneshwar the Ladu Baba temple is situated in old town. This Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva adding up to the number of numerous temples of Lord Shiva.

Ladu Baba Temple Religious Significance

The main festival of the temple is Shiva raatri an auspicious night dedicated in the worship of Lord Shiva. The devotees please Shiva as much as they can to receive the immense grace he has to offer for all his Devotees with no difference in status or caste.

The temple is open to all the visitors and devotees and remains open throughout the year.

Ladu Baba Temple Mythology & History

Some evidences found in the temple show that it was built during the 9th century AD and some say that it was built during the 12th century AD. The period of the construction basically being the medieval age. At present there is no deity in the sanctum sanctorum. The local Odissi myths during the battle between Rama and Ravana a major threat were inflicted along the coastline. The deity of the Ladu Baba Temple escaped the clutches of the evil Ravana's army and was moved to Ekamra Ksetra from Lanka. This is why there does not lie any deity. It is said a lingam was originally present in the shrine.

Ladu Baba Temple Architectural Significance

The Ladu Baba temple belongs to the famous Kalinga architecture with a blend of Rekha order a unique existence of structures. The touch of Odissi art and tradition is also clearly portrayed in the temple. The temple is built in the pancharatha style with a vimana and a porch in the front measuring 0.5 metrs. There is spire located on top a veranda which stands simple and plain. The main shrine is buried till the jangha while the western portion of the shrine is buried till pabhaga. The vimana of the temple is spread across an area of 6 square metres.

The Rekha order features bada at a height of 2.7 metres, above the veranda the spire that is located is gandi at a height of 5.5 metres and mastaka stands at a height of 3 metres having amlaka, beki, khapru and kalasa. The whole of the structure has a height of 11.20 metres standing independently from the main shrine. It has a golden vase or a Khalasa a significant part of any Hindu sanctum. The Bada is further demarcated vertically as the buried plan, talajhanga, bandhana, upsara jhanga and veranda with different heights.

An additional feature are the presence of three Raha Niches which are devoid of any form of idol with an exception at the western having an idol of Lord Ganesh with four arms and holding lotuses. The trunk of the idol of Lord Ganesh broken partly. The niche is 0.43 metres deep, 0.51 metres wide and 1.1 metres height. The temple is not carved on the walls at most places but is decorated with other articles such as Lintel which are figures of Navagrahas and door jambs which comprises of figures of patra sakha, nara sakha and lata sakha. At the bottom of the door jambs are two khakhara mundi niches holding the figure of Saiva dvarapalas.

However the temple requires a restoration work very soon at it is in a dilapidated condition. People misuse the property and awareness should be spread to preserve a historical monument.

The well organised temple is open for one and all and hundreds of devotees every day line up to offer prayer to the deity and Shiva without any showers his blessing upon his beloved devotees with prosperous and happy life.