Baladev Jew Temple is situated in Ichhapur, Kendrapara, Odisha. Baladevjew Temple is a very famous temple of Odisha and Balarama is its main divinity. However, Jagannath and Subhadra are also worshipped in the Ratna Sinhasan in the main temple. An idol representing tulasi as a goddess in a seated position is also present after the sacred seven steps.
History
The present shrine of Siddha Baladeva Jew was constructed during the Maratha rule in Odisha of Ichhapur. It was constructed by the king of Kujanga, Raja Gopal Sandha and Zamindar of Chhedara killah, Srinivas Narendra Mahapatra. One saint Gopi Das and Sairatak Giri convinced the then Maratha Chief Janoji and constructed the Jagamohan, Bhoga Mandapa of the main temple, temple of Gundicha and compound wall. It is believed that Khan-I-Duran, the subedar of Odisha during the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb demolished the temple in 1661 and built a mosque on the remains of the temple. Devotees of Lord Baladev Jeu, took the deity in disguise in a boat through the river Govari and kept the deity in a secret place near Baranga Jungle. Afterwards it was shifted to Balarampur village near Luna river at Sakhi Bata. Later it was transferred to the present day Icchapur temple.
Architecture and Construction of Baladev Jew Temple
Baladevjew Temple is constructed over an area of of land. There are 2 parts in the total area. In one part, different temples are there and the other part is a beautiful garden. There is a boundary around the temple, high. There are four main parts of Baladev Jew Temple are
Bada Deula or Sri Mandir
Majhi Mandir or Bhog Mandap
Jagamohan or Natya Mandir
Bata Mandir or Mukhashala
The main temple is high and wide. The main temple has a 7 step construction and heavy baulamalia stone are used in this construction. There are other small temples inside the premise, where other Gods and Goddesses are worshipped. All the temples have beautiful architecture and are constructed in traditional way. The other important parts of the temple are Garuda Stambha, Ratna Bhandar, Snana Mandap, Mukti Mandap, Jhulan Gruha, Laxmi Mandira, Anand Bazar, Bhairabi Mandir, NabaGraha Mandir, Kasi Biswonath, Astasambhu Mahadev, Sri Ram mandir, Sidheswar Mahadev, Mukti Mandap, Ganesh mandir, & adhistati Devi Tulasi Temple & about more to click http://baladevjew.webs.com/about-temple
Rituals Followed in Baladev Jew Temple
The deities of Lord Baladevjew, Lord Jagannath and Goddess Subhadra wear different costumes and are decorated in different ways during different important festivals. This tradition is known as Besha. The Rath Yatra here is famous for the Brahma Taladhwaja Rath. Some Important Alankara are -
Different types of offerings are made with trained traditional families, called as Supakara and Mekap are engaged solely for deities. Some of the delicacies are highly patronized in different historic regimes. A comprehensive list of the delicacies is given below. Baula Gaintha, Upana Pitha, Mithei, Chaurashi Vyanjana, Makara Chaula, Bhaja, Ghia Anna, Dali, Phalamula, Dry sweets, Ghanavarta, Pura Kakara, Rasabali, Putuli Pitha, Chipa Kakara, Karanji, Khaja, Magaja Ladoo, Dalimba, Khuduma, Nishkudi, Mutha Gaja, Tala, Chhena Chakata are the famous ones. & about more to click http://baladevjew.webs.com/types-of-prasad