Sarala Temple

Sarala Temple is a prominent Hindu Shakti shrine located in Jhankad village, Tirtol Block, Jagatsinghpur District, Odisha, on the banks of the Chandrabhaga River. Dedicated to Goddess Sarala, regarded as an incarnation of Goddess Durga and Vak Devi, it is considered one of the eight most revered Shakti Peethas in Odisha and one of the oldest Shakti shrines in the state, attracting pilgrims and tourists year-round.

Visitors can expect a traditional Odishan temple complex with a curvilinear vimana, pillared mandapa, and stone carvings, set in a rural riverside environment near the Chandrabhaga River. Inside, devotees can have darshan of the eight-armed Goddess Sarala idol. The premises include subsidiary shrines, open courtyards, prasad shops and rest sheds. The atmosphere is devotional, especially during daily aarti and major festivals like Durga Puja and Pana Sankranti.

Sarala Temple is considered one of the oldest Shakti shrines in Odisha, with origins traced to the 8th century during the Bhaumakara period and later renovations in the 16th century. It is famously associated with the 15th-century poet Sarala Das, the Adikavi of Odia literature, who composed the Odia Mahabharata, Chandi Purana and Vilanka Ramayana while devoted to Goddess Sarala at this site.

The temple is a major centre of Shaktism in Odisha. Goddess Sarala is worshipped as Vak Devi, the goddess of knowledge and wisdom, and as a form of Durga. The shrine is counted among the Ashta Shakti Peethas of Odisha and holds deep religious importance for devotees. Annual festivals such as Durga Puja, Navratri, Pana Sankranti and Jhamu Jatra draw large congregations and reflect Odia devotional traditions.