Odisha Tourism : Khiching

A Perfect Example of Temple Renovation

The present day temple of Goddess Kichakeswari a form of Chamunda is a tale of a perseverance of a king and the dedication of a supervisor from Archaeological Survey of India. The beautiful district of Mayurbhanj was once the citadel of the Bhanja Kings from 950 AD to 1250 AD. Being patrons of art and culture they encouraged a cosmopolitan culture which allowed art and culture to flourish in the region.

The Khiching temple was a watershed moment in during the rule of the Bhanja dynasty. After the rule of Bhanja’s ended, the region suffered from neglect and its heritage gathered dust and ultimately was lost in the ruins. The anointed successor of Bhanja dynasty Maharaja Purna Chandra Bhanja Deo took up the task of restoring the temple of Goddess Kichikeswari the family deity between 1922-1924. After painstaking excavation work and finalizing of the design, the Maharaja met a tragic death in 1928.

After the death of the Maharaja, Shri. Sailendra Prasad Bose then a supervisor with ASI stepped in. The work of the temple started in 1934 and completed in 1941, costing a princely sum of Rs.80, 000/- then. The renovated temple conforms to the Odisha Style of Temple Architecture however, there is no Jagamohana (porch).

The idol of the presiding deity Goddess Kichakeswari is Goddess Chamunda in an emaciated form and of fearful disposition. The legend of the goddess and the beauty of the temple occupies pride of place amongst the people of Mayurbhanj.

The museum located in the temple premises is a storehouse of exquisite pieces of sculptures, which were recovered during the excavation work.

Below is a visual treat of Khiching. Enjoy the immersive experience and experience the 360 degree views and virtual tours which are soon going to enhance your visual journey!

Like what you see? Looking to have a well rounded experience in Odisha? Scroll to see a list of the choicest of curated pre-packaged tours covering the most coveted destinations in Odisha.Browse the list and see details of the trail/package which interests you most. Contact the Dept. Of Tourism recogonized Travel Agent who has published the tour and finalize your trip to Odisha today!

Nearest Railway Station - Bhadrak
Nearest Airport - Bhubaneswar
Distance from Bhubaneswar - 242 KM
Road Transport Bhadrak is well connected by road services from major cities of Odisha

Timings
- 5:00 am to 10:00 pm
- 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM – afternoon reccess
Entry fees
- No fees
Parking
- Available
Banks and ATM
- Bhadrak has branches of all the major banks & ATM’s.
Hotels
- Bhadrak has limited hotels. Alternately one can stay at Balasore. Check the list of accredited hotels.
Where to Shop
- If you are staying at Balasore, check out the Boyanika showroom at Cinema Bazar, Motiganj is a good option to collect souvenirs.

Wish to make the best of your trip to Khiching ? Make sure your itinerary covers these below must-see destinations close to Khiching.Most of these are highly coveted on every tourists bucket list and can be reached from Khiching in a matter of hours. We have found 9 such places close to Khiching that will maximize your Experience-Odisha!

There's a variety of options for you to stay at. From Star Rated Hotels, Eco Tour Nature Camps equipped with state of the art swiss tents and facilities to OTDC Government Hotels, Bed Breakfasts and Homestays to choose from. Browse the list below to choose your preferred accomodation.