Dedicated to Lord Shiva (Kedareswar) and Goddess Parvati (Gouri), Kedar Gouri Temple is directly opposite the magnificent Mukteshwar Temple in old Bhubaneswar.
I confess I did not actually visit this temple properly. Not only was it extremely busy, but there was a long list of things you couldn’t take into the temple precinct, which included cameras, phones, any leather goods, food, large bags. It was close to the end of the day and that long list of prohibited items just took me over the edge, so all I have are photos taken from outside the compound wall.
A legend says that king Lalatendu Kesari built this temple in the memory of two lovers; Kedar and Gouri, who don’t seem to have had a very good time of it. Kedar was killed by a tiger, and Gouri drowned himself on hearing this news. It is said that lovers come here to pray for a happy marriage without any obstacles.
The information board outside the temple mentions this legend, but the locals have done their best to scratch that bit out, so clearly it is not a story that is held in very high regard now by the temple priests.
There are a number of structures in the compound dating from the 10th to 12th century, plus a few more modern buildings. For anyone visiting, the oldest temple here is the red painted Gauri temple, dating to approximately the mid 10th century. The temple tank is fed by a perennial spring, the waters of which are said to have medicinal properties.
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Categories: Bhubaneswar, India, Kedar Gouri (Kedareswar) Temple, Odisha
Kevin Standage 
Beautiful photos
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Thank you !
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