Budhakhol Temple

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Budhakhol is an Odisha heritage site located in the Buguda block of the Ganjam district in Odisha, India. It is located about 92 km from the district headquarters. The ancient heritage is known for its beautiful trees, caves, temples, and a perennial waterfall that attracts tourists. Another point of attraction of the place is the presence of a group of five temples. The five temples are Sri Sri Makareswar Swami, Sri Sri Gangadhareswar Swami, Sri Sri Jagadieshwar Swami, Sri Sri Siddheswar Swami, Sri Sri Budheswar Swami, popularly known as Panchu Mahadeva Temple.

History

The place name Budhakhol is derived from Badhesvara, which means Buddha in meditation position. It is firmly believed that Buddha visited the site. Huentsang also visited the place and witnessed the learning and teaching of Buddhists and believed that it was one of the best places to learn Buddhism. The Panchumahadeva temples are believed to have been built in the era of Jagadguru AdiShankaracharya. Therefore, the place is a mixture of Buddhism and Hinduism.

Tourism

Budhakhol is widely known for its Buddhist culture. Several Buddhist remains found at the site give the impression of a Buddhist settlement there. The main attraction point of this place is the combination of caves, jungles and waterfalls, along with the combination of five temples that make the place a must see for pilgrims as well. 42 foot tall statues of Lord Shiva and Parvati donated by Indian princess Ipsita Pati at Budhakhol, Buguda, Odisha. The main attractions of the place are:

The Cave

Budhakhol is a scientific place frequently visited by tourists, pilgrims, and hikers. The caves are one of the most attractive points of the place. The place is located at a distance of about 3 km. north of Buguda in the Ganjam district. When climbing to the top of the hill, one can notice a very large stone in the south, which is called Patharakhai. In the same hill the tourist can find different caves. One of which is Siddha Gumpha, where Buddhist monks are used, they stay and meditate. Another cave called Dayana is also present in the main hills. Statue of Siva.Parbati ,Brusava , Hanuman , Pool ,Way from the top of the hill to the temple , about 495 steps to the temple etc….

Waterfalls

In the highest part of the hills, a perennial stream forms a waterfall, called Panjuria. The water from the falls falls from 25 feet into the Banyan tree and turns into a shower. The water from the Panjuria waterfall is believed to have medicinal properties.

Budhakhol Temple Timings

The temple has fixed timings for visitors, which are as follows:

Budhakhol Temple opens at 6:00 am in the morning and closes at 6:00 pm in the evening.
The temple is open for visitors all seven days of the week.
However, it is advisable to check with the temple authorities or the local tourist office for the latest timings, as they may change depending on local events, festivals or other circumstances. Additionally, it is recommended to plan your visit during the morning hours or in the late afternoon, as the temple can get crowded during mid-day hours.

How to reach Budhakhol Temple

Here are the directions to reach Budhakhol Temple:

By Road: Budhakhol Temple is located about 30 km from Nayagarh town. You can take a taxi or a local bus from Nayagarh town to reach Budhakhol. The road leading to Budhakhol is a single lane road and is surrounded by lush green forests and scenic countryside.

By Rail: The nearest railway station to Budhakhol is the Nayagarh Town railway station, which is about 30 km from the temple. You can take a train from Bhubaneswar or any other major city in India to Nayagarh Town railway station and then hire a taxi or take a local bus to reach Budhakhol.

By Air: The nearest airport to Budhakhol is the Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar, which is about 100 km away. From the airport, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach Nayagarh and then travel to Budhakhol Temple.

Once you reach Budhakhol, you will have to walk a short distance of about 500 meters to reach the temple. The temple is located amidst a dense forest and has a serene and tranquil environment.