Nilamadhav Temple (Kantilo)

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Nilamadhav Temple (Kantilo), Odisha



     Sri Nilamadhava Temple(Odia: ନୀଳମାଧବଜିଉ ମନ୍ଦିର, କଣ୍ଟିଲୋ) is very old and famous Vishnu temple which is near to the bank of Mahanadi, in Kantilo. which is present near to the twin hills with a surrounding forest. A permanent flow of holy water from the feet of Lord Nilamadhava is another attraction of the spot. Lord Siddheswar is also present which is another highlight of the place.
     
                                         
 
   Kantilo is situated near the river bank of Mahanadi which comes in a block called Khandapada, in Nayagarh District. Nearest railway station is Nayagarh Town and nearest airport is Bhubaneswar. It is advisable that if you are planning to come by train its better get down at Bhubaneswar station because from there you will get frequent buses to Kantilo. Roads are connected to Kantilo which offer regular bus services. It is 73 km from state capital Bhubaneswar and 33 km from Nayagarh District.
                                       

    The unique feature of idol of Lord Vishnu- wherein in two hands he holds the Shankha ( Conch) and Chakra ( Discus) and the other two hands resting on his consorts Lakshmi and Saraswati- is similar to the Vishnu idol found in Bihar (Now stored in the Kolkata Museum) speaks about its anteriority.
                                     
     
     Maagha Saptami or Ratha Saptami- is the main festival of the temple. It basically heralds the beginning of the spring season which is also the commencement of the harvesting season.The festival is denoted by the Sun changing direction to the Northern Hemisphere in the North Easterly direction. Hindu’s celebrate the festival as the birthday of Sun God.
     
     The other festival celebrated at the temple is the “Pausa Purnima” which falls in January ( Maagha). During the Pausa Purnima, Lord Nilamdhab is decked up in gold ornaments.
 
                                       
 
     It all initiated in a small cave in the Brahmadri hills situated on the banks of Mahanadi, which is known as Kantilo of Nayagarh district today. Here, Biswabasu the local Sabara Chief worshipped Kitung, as the God was known in the Sabara dialect. According to the Puranas, the deity was originally worshiped in the form of an Indranila gem image known as “Nilamadhava“. The daru murty came much later. Located near the confluence of three rivers Mahanadi, Kuanria and Kusumi the temple structure is like the Jagannath temple of Puri. It stands on the right bank of Mahanadi. It is called triveni sangam of Odisha. As there is Beni-Madhava in Prayag, so as here Nilamadhava.

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