Sarala Temple Jhankad

This temple is dedicated to Goddess Shakti/Amman and also houses shrines for Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesh, and various regional guardian and tantric manifestations, making it a significant spiritual destination for devotees seeking darshan and blessings.

The temple is renowned for its Kalinga architectural style and holds heritage status under the state and local panchayat trust. Its origins are traced to the Bhauma-Kara dynasty in the 8th century CE, with subsequent renovations by local rulers such as the Raja of Manijanga and modern trusts.

The Sarala Temple is a vibrant centre of worship and community life, drawing pilgrims from across Odisha and beyond. Devotees can visit the temple throughout the week, with timings from 5:00 AM to 1:30 PM and 3:30 PM to 9:00 PM.

The best time to visit is during the winter months (November to February), festival seasons, or during the evening aarti for a spiritually uplifting experience. The temple conducts daily poojas, with the Mangala Aarti held from 5:00 AM to 5:30 AM and the Sandhya Aarti from 6:00 PM to 6:40 PM.

Rituals are performed in Sanskrit and Odia, preserving the traditional essence of worship.

Entry for darshan is free, and visitors are encouraged to adhere to the temple’s dress code: men should wear traditional or modest Indian attire such as dhoti-kurta or full-length trousers with a conservative shirt, while women are expected to wear saree, salwar kameez, or other decent ethnic wear.

Photography and videography are strictly prohibited inside the complex, and mobile devices must be switched off or kept in lockers. The temple is easily accessible from major cities.

From Bhubaneswar or Cuttack, visitors can take the Cuttack-Paradeep state highway, with Jhankad reachable by state buses, auto-rickshaws, and private cabs. The nearest railway stations are Gorakhnath (5 km), Rahama (13 km), and Cuttack Junction (50 km).

The closest airport is Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar, 81 km away. Local guest houses and temple dharamshalas provide accommodation, with more options in Jagatsinghpur town, and many pilgrims opt for a day trip from Cuttack or Bhubaneswar.

Festivals such as Pana Sankranti (Jhamu Jatra) in April, Sharadiya Utsav/Durga Puja in September-October, Dola Purnima in February-March, and Chandan Jatra in April-May are celebrated with great fervor.

During these times, traditional prasad like sweetened puffed rice, fruits, and cooked rice-dalma is distributed, and annadanam is organized for devotees.

For those interested in exploring nearby attractions, Baba Gorakhnath Temple, Kanakeswar Temple, Paradeep Port & Beach, and Tulasi Kshetra are within accessible distance.

The temple offers dedicated parking and basic wheelchair accessibility at the main entrance, though inner areas may be crowded during festivals. For more information, visitors can contact the temple at +91 674 243 1896.