Khirachora Gopinath Temple

Khirachora Gopinath Temple is a renowned Hindu temple located in Remuna, Balasore district, Odisha, about 9 km from Balasore town. Dedicated to Lord Krishna worshipped as Gopinath, it is famous for its association with the sweet milk preparation Khira offered as prasad. The temple features Kalinga-style architecture, a black stone deity, and is an important pilgrimage site linked to saints Madhavendra Puri and Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

Visitors can expect a traditional Kalinga-style temple complex with a courtyard, main sanctum housing the black stone idol of Lord Gopinath (Krishna), and subsidiary shrines. The temple is active with daily worship, bhajans and offering of Khira prasad. The surroundings include temple shops selling sweets and religious items, a prasad counter, and a generally calm pilgrimage atmosphere. Photography is typically allowed in outer areas but not inside the sanctum.

The temple is traditionally dated to the 13th century and is attributed to King Langula Narasingha Deva of Odisha. It enshrines Lord Gopinath and is noted for its Kalinga architectural style. The deity and temple gained prominence through the visits of saint Madhavendra Puri in the late 15th century and later Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in the 16th century, as recorded in devotional traditions.

The temple is a major Vaishnava pilgrimage centre in Odisha, revered as one of the important Krishna shrines. It is culturally known for the legend of Lord Gopinath stealing Khira (sweetened condensed milk) for his devotee Madhavendra Puri, hence the name Khirachora (one who stole milk). The Khira prasad remains central to the temple's religious identity and is widely sought by devotees.