Lakhmi Varaha Temple, Hindu temple in Kendrapara district, India.
Lakhmi Varaha Temple (Odia: ଶ୍ରୀ ଶ୍ରୀ ଲକ୍ଷ୍ମୀବରାହ ସ୍ବାମୀ ମନ୍ଦିର) is a temple dedicated to Varaha, the boar incarnation of Vishnu, in Aul tehsil, Kendrapara district, Odisha, about 1 km from Aul centre and near the Brahmani River. The present building was renovated in the 20th century by the late king of Aul, Sri Brajasundar Dev, after some 500 years of ruin.
The temple is about 500 years old and was built by the king of Aul after, according to legend, the Lakshmi-Varaha deity followed him from the Biraja Temple in Jajpur and stopped at this spot. The present structure was renovated in the 20th century by the late king Sri Brajasundar Dev, after the temple had been in a ruined state for the previous 500 years.
The temple's name links Lakshmi and Varaha, the boar incarnation of Vishnu, who is worshipped here as Lakshmi-Varaha. Baraha Dwadashi, the god's avatar day on Maagha shukla dwadashi, draws about a lakh of devotees from the surrounding area. Other observances include Baraha Dola Yatra, the swing festival at Phalguna or Holi, plus Raja Parva, Kumar Purnima, Kartik Purnima, Ratha Yatra, Samba Dasami and Makara Sankranti.
The temple stands about 1 km from Aul tehsil centre, 17 km from Pattamundai and 38 km from Kendrapara, with the Brahmani River nearby. Buses run from Kendrapara, Cuttack, Bhadrak and Bhubaneswar; the closest railway station is Bhadrak on the Chennai–Howrah line. Baraha Dwadashi on Maagha shukla dwadashi draws around a lakh of devotees, so plan around that crowd.
The temple stands about a kilometre from Aul, the place the sources call Alli, where the king's horse stopped and the sound of the following deity ceased. The Yajna Baraha Temple in Jajpur district is said to remain there, separate from this shrine. The present building was rebuilt in the 20th century by Sri Brajasundar Dev after 500 years of ruin.
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