Heard Of Alarnath Temple Where Lord Vishnu Burnt His Hand? Know Unknown Legend Behind This Ancient Temple In Odisha

Alarnath Temple Odisha: Located around 25 kilometres from Puri, the tranquil town of Brahmagiri is home to the Alarnatha Temple, an ancient sanctuary of faith. This holy place venerates Lord Vishnu in his Alarnatha incarnation, providing a tranquil haven for the devotees. Filled with serene respect, the temple serves as a space where age-old customs persist. According to a lesser-known legend, Lord Vishnu burnt his hand in this place to honour a heartfelt plea from a devoted worshipper, demonstrating his infinite compassion.

Check out some unknown facts and legends surrounding this ancient temple in Odisha below:

How Lord Vishnu Burnt His Hand At Alarnath Temple

One day, a young devotee child presented hot kheer to Lord Alarnatha with sincere devotion. Excited to receive the gift, the Lord swiftly plunged his fingers into the kheer, inadvertently burning the fingers of his upper right hand. This heartfelt instance of divine love remains evident today, with the idol in the Alarnath Temple distinctly displaying the burnt fingers. This event showcases the Lord’s infinite love and attentiveness to genuine devotion, regardless of how humble the offering may be. The tale remains beloved by those who arrive to see this extraordinary emblem of heavenly favour.

Other Legends Surrounding Alarnath Temple

The Alarnath Temple is thought to be around two centuries older than the renowned Jagannatha Temple. Although it may not be a prominent tourist site, it has profound religious importance for followers of Krishna. As per the legend, Lord Brahma previously offered his prayers to Lord Vishnu on a hilltop. The leaders of Alwar in Rajasthan are believed to have founded the temple, which gradually became known as Alwarnath or Alarnath.

This sacred temple is strongly linked to Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's visit to Odisha. While in Puri, he made daily visits to Lord Jagannath. However, in the Anavasara phase, when Lord Jagannath and his siblings repose in isolation for 15 days, Mahaprabhu found the separation unbearable. According to legend, the Lord guided him to Brahmagiri, where he discovered peace in worshipping Lord Alarnath. Even now, countless devotees who are unable to see Lord Jagannath at this time go to the Alarnatha Temple to obtain the Lord’s blessings.

The sacred Alarnath temple is located in Brahmagiri, 25 kilometres away from Jagannath Puri. (Image Source: Wikimedia Commons) 

In this temple, Alarnath is the form of Lord Vishnu worshipped, shown with four arms clasping a shankha, chakra, gada, and padma. His sacred steed, Garuda, bows in worship at his feet. The temple additionally contains shrines dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, Rukmini, Satyabhama and Lord Chaitanya, establishing it as a deeply venerated spiritual location

It is thought that individuals who cannot venerate Mahaprabhu Shri Jagannath during the Anavasara period, when he resides in the sick chamber, can still attain his blessings by going to the Alarnath Temple. In this sacred period, temple attendants affectionately present Kheer as a sacred gift to Mahaprabhu Shri Alarnath. Each year, countless dedicated pilgrims journey to the temple to receive his sacred blessings and enjoy this renowned prasadam.

(Disclaimer: This content includes advice providing generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified spiritual or astrological opinion. Always consult a specialist for more information before adopting any measures.)

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