Patali Srikhetra

Patali Srikhetra is a Hindu temple complex located at Kotsamalai in Boudh District, Odisha, on a hillock near the Mahanadi River. It is revered as the place where the wooden idols of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra of Puri were kept hidden for 144 years. The site includes temples, a sacred cave and forested surroundings and is an important pilgrimage centre for devotees of Jagannath.

Visitors can expect a hilltop temple complex surrounded by forest and the Mahanadi valley landscape. The main shrine houses wooden idols of Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra. A small cave shrine associated with the hiding of the idols, subsidiary shrines, and open courtyards can be explored. The setting is quiet and devotional, with pilgrims offering prayers, priests conducting rituals, and views of the surrounding hills and river area.

Patali Srikhetra is traditionally associated with the 16th century when, during the invasion of Odisha, the idols of Lord Jagannath from Puri were believed to have been moved and kept hidden in a cave at Kotsamalai for about 144 years before being returned to Puri. The site is linked to the history of the Boudh region and is regarded as the Patali Srikhetra, the temporary abode of the deities.

The site is revered as a second Srikhetra and an important centre of Jagannath culture in western Odisha. It holds religious significance for devotees of Lord Jagannath and is a venue for major festivals such as Ratha Yatra, attracting pilgrims from across Odisha. The temple reflects Odishan devotional traditions and local heritage.