Rest of Odisha · Vishnu's lion-headed form on Gandhamardan
Nrusinghanath Temple
A 14th-century temple to Nrusingha (the man-lion avatar) at the foot of Gandhamardan hill, beside the Papaharini stream and seven waterfalls in a bowl of forest.
History & legend
Built in 1413 CE by King Baijal Dev of Patnagarh, the temple's deity Marjara Kesari (cat-lion) is unique, slaying the rat demon Musika Daitya. Inscriptions record patronage by the Chauhan rulers and later Sambalpur kings. Gandhamardan's plateau holds ruins that Xuanzang described as the Parimalagiri Buddhist university, and the hill's medicinal plants — over 500 species — sustained Ayurvedic tradition for centuries.
Timings
5:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Best time to visit
October–February; Nrusingha Chaturdashi (May)
Entry fee
Free
Approx. cab from Puri (one way)
₹10,000 · 400 km × ₹25/km
Don't miss
- Marjara-Kesari deity
- Papaharini stream & waterfalls
- Gandhamardan trek
- Buddhist ruins of Parimalagiri
Local tip: Stay at Paikmal or Nrusinghanath OTDC; the 16-km trek to Harishankar is best done from this side.
On the map
