Sabara Srikhetra Jagannath Temple

Sabara Srikhetra Jagannath Temple is a prominent Hindu temple located on a hilltop in Koraput town, Koraput district, Odisha. Built in the early 1970s and modelled after the Puri Jagannath Temple, it is dedicated to Lord Jagannath and is notable for its association with the local Sabara tribal community. The temple is known for its annual Ratha Yatra, tribal-inclusive traditions, and panoramic views of the surrounding Eastern Ghats landscape.

Visitors can expect a hilltop temple complex modelled on the Puri Jagannath Temple with a main sanctum housing idols of Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra, surrounding shrines, and a large courtyard. The site offers views over Koraput town and the Eastern Ghats, a peaceful devotional atmosphere, prasad counters, and access via steps and a motorable road. During festivals, especially Ratha Yatra, the temple sees large gatherings and processions.

The temple was constructed in 1972 and consecrated to provide a Jagannath shrine in the tribal-dominated Koraput region. It was built in the Kalinga architectural style inspired by the Puri Jagannath Temple and established as Sabara Srikhetra to reflect the participation of the local Sabara tribal community in Jagannath worship.

The temple represents the integration of tribal Sabara traditions with mainstream Jagannath culture. Unlike Puri, tribal devotees have an active role in rituals here. It is a major centre for Jagannath worship in southern Odisha and hosts the annual Ratha Yatra, attracting devotees from Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh.