KAKHARUA BAIDYANATH TEMPLE at MANATRI, Dist: Mayurbhanj (Odisha)
Manatri is situated at 7 miles to the south-east of
Badasahi and 24 miles from Baripada, and is famous for its presiding deity,
Kakharua Baidyanatha (Lord Shiva). The local people were required to offer
three Manas of paddy to the deity,a practise not yet
altogether given up. The name Manatraya or Manatri (literally
three manas) is said to have originated in this way.
Numerous devotees from distant areas come here to
present offerings to the deity. During Shivaratri, JATRAS (fairs) are held in honour of this God.
Tales says that a Ruler from Soma dynasty was
attacked with leucoderma; his entire body being depigmented with white patches,
he was called ‘Kakharua’. Since the Ruler’s disease which gave him a look
of a Kakharu(Watermelon), was cured by Lord Baidyanath, the
deity was named as Kakharua
Baidyanath.
There
are remains of an ancient fort about half a mile to the west of the temple.
Tradition has it that Maharaja Ramachandra Bhanja built this fort and lived
here for some years. It is further state that adjoining it there was once a big
town,and that at one time both the fortress and the town were thickly
populated.
A
number of Pucca roads lead from this village joining Badasahi in the
north-west., Betnoti in the north-east, Kuamara in the west and Baisinga in the
east.
Source : http://hotelambika.co.in/heritage/manatri-shiva-temple/
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