Alarnath Temple is situated at Brahmagiri, 25 km distance from Puri, and is en route to Baliharachandi. It is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, worshipped here as Lord Alarnath, an incarnation of Lord Jagannath (or Narayana). Alarnatha is the presiding deity of Brahmagiri. Previously the devotees of Alvarnaath worshipped the image of Narayan. Alarnath is the incarnation of Lord Jagannath. Brahmagiri Alarnath Mandir is one of the famous temples in Puri, Odisha.
Alvars are the said poets of South India and migrated to Puri district and Brahmagiri. Devotees from different parts of Odisha come here during the Anasara Puja of Lord Jagannath at the time of Ratha Yatra. During Chaitanya’s stay in Puri, Lord Jagannath was not allowed to be seen, so he was ordered to visit a temple called Alarnath in Brahmagiri, where he had darshan of the Lord. Chaitanya’s feet, hands, and head can be seen on the temple premises. Alarnatha Mandir is a tourist attraction in Puri District.
History of Alarnath Temple
The temple holds special importance during the Anavasara period (a 15-day phase in June-July after Snana Yatra) when Lord Jagannath remains unseen to devotees as he is said to fall ill. During this period, thousands of devotees flock to Alarnath Temple to offer their prayers, believing that Lord Jagannath manifests himself as Lord Alarnath. The presiding deity, Lord Alarnath, is shown in a majestic four-armed form, holding the chakra (discus), Shankha (conch), gada (mace), and Padma (lotus), each symbolizing his divine attributes. The Alarnath Temple in Brahmagiri, Odisha, has deep historical, spiritual, and mythological roots, particularly in the Vaishnavite tradition. Though the exact date of its origin is not precisely documented, it is considered to be centuries old and closely linked to the Jagannath cult and Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. According to tradition, during one of his visits to Puri, Mahaprabhu was heartbroken when the Jagannath Temple closed for Anavasara. He was then led to Alarnath, where he experienced intense divine ecstasy in front of the deity.



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