Mahavinayak Temple

The Mahavinayak Temple at Chandikhole in Jajpur district is a major pilgrimage centre and one of the oldest Ganesha temples in Odisha, built by the Keshari kings in the 12th century. Its single sanctum enshrines five gods, Ganesha, Shiva, Vishnu, Durga and Surya, worshipped as one. Legend says all five reached out to accept an offering from Rati, wife of Kamadeva, after which a granite stone holding their combined power rose from the earth. The temple therefore has no pahada, the usual closing for the gods' rest, and both bilva and tulasi leaves go into the offerings.

The temple sits at the foot of a wooded hill, with the Chandi temple at the neighbouring foothill and a shrine of Maa Banadurga above. Both foothill temples have perennial springs with built bathing ponds, and a forest path links them. Remains said to be Teligarh, a palace from a Mahabharata legend, lie opposite. Shiva Ratri is held over five days with yagna and homa.