Our Story, Our Faith
About Us
Learn about the history, traditions, and the sacred legacy of the Sri Dadhibaman Temple.
Our Sacred Abode
Temple Architecture
The temple is a beautiful example of traditional Kalinga architecture, rich with art and spiritual symbolism.
Kalinga Architecture
Following the traditions of Puri, the temple adheres to the Kalinga style, featuring the main sanctum (Vimana) and the assembly hall (Jagamohana).
The Main Sanctum
The Garbha Griha (sanctum sanctorum) houses the sacred idols of Lord Dadhibaman and Satihari (Kamla), installed on the Ratna Singhasana.
Puranic Wall Paintings
The temple interior is adorned with beautiful wall paintings depicting Puranic stories and the legends of the Lord, immersing devotees in a divine atmosphere.
The Presiding Deities
Our Sacred Lord
The divine forms of Lord Dadhivamana and Satihari, and their unique traditions of worship.
A Tale of Pure Faith
The Legend of Paramananda Sahu
The temple's origins are rooted in a powerful story of devotion that transcended the bounds of possibility.
A Divine Sacrifice
Sati Kamla's Ultimate Devotion
The story of Kamala, the devoted daughter-in-law of Paramananda, is a testament to unwavering faith.
Kamala's Devotion
It was the sacred duty of Kamala to care for the family deity, Lord Dadhivamana, whom she worshipped daily with a pure heart.
The Trial by Fire
A disastrous fire caught the family's home. Paying no heed to warnings, Kamala rushed into the flames to save her revered God.
Merging with the Divine
Kamala never returned. Strangely, no remains of Kamala or the wooden deity were found in the ashes.
"It was believed she had completely merged with the divinity. To this day, she is worshipped alongside the Lord as Satihari."
A Divine Sacrifice
The Miracle of Faith
The story of Kamala, the devoted daughter-in-law of Paramananda, is a testament to unwavering faith.
Kamala's Devotion
It was the sacred duty of Kamala, Paramananda's daughter-in-law, to take care of the family's wooden deity, Lord Dadhivamana. She worshipped him every day with a pure heart and unwavering dedication.
The Trial by Fire
A few days after the first miracle, a disastrous fire caught the family's thatched-roof house. As the flames engulfed their home, all hope of saving the enshrined deity was given up by the helpless villagers.
But Kamala was determined. Paying no heed to the warnings and without a thought for her own life, she rushed inside the burning house to save her revered God.
Merging with the Divine
Kamala never returned from the fire. Strangely, when the ashes cooled, no remains of Kamala or the wooden deity could be found.
It was believed by all that Kamala, in her ultimate act of devotion, had completely merged with the divinity. To this day, she is worshipped alongside the Lord as Satihari.
A Divine Prophecy
The Lord's Dream
After the great sacrifice, the Lord's divine plan was revealed to the grieving Paramananda.
A Grieving Heart
Paramananda, his wife, and son were overwhelmed with grief. That night, Paramananda had a strange and divine dream.
The Lord Appears
Lord Dadhivamana himself appeared before Paramananda in the dream with a divine instruction.
The Sacred Log
The Lord told him that a log of wood would be found the next morning, floating in the village tank known as the 'Chakra Bandh'.
"He was instructed to carve new images of Lord Dadhivamana and Kamla (Satihari) from this wood and install them in a new stone temple."
The Prophecy Fulfilled
The Chakra Bandh Miracle
The very next morning, the villagers of Bhatli gathered at the edge of the sacred tank, filled with wonder and anticipation.
The Temple's Dawn
Consecration of the Deities
From the divine log, the new era of worship in Bhatli began, with the present-day temple being established in 1912.
The Divine Carving
From the single sacred log brought from the Chakra Bandh, the images of both Lord Dadhivamana and the devoted Satihari (Kamla) were beautifully carved, fulfilling the Lord's command.
Community 'Kar Seva'
The miracle inspired the entire region. Donations came unasked, and devotees from Bhatli and neighboring villages vied with one another to offer 'Kar Seva' (free and voluntary labor) to construct a grand new temple.
The Temple (1912)
While the tradition of worship is ancient (c. 1600 AD), the construction of the present-day stone temple was completed in 1912 by Sri Shyamsunder Mishra, the chief of Tarajana Gram. The deities were installed on the throne, where they are worshipped to this day.
"This unwavering faith is why Bhatli Dham has gained fame as the 'Western Shrine' (Paschima Srikshetra) of Odisha, with its rituals performed in accordance with the Jagannath Temple of Puri."
A House for the Lord
The Temple's Construction
The grand stone temple seen today is the culmination of generations of devotion and a divine plan.
An Early Attempt
In the late 18th century, Gadadhar Sahu began constructing a new temple, but for unknown reasons, he was unable to complete the structure.
Completion in 1912
Generations later, the task was fulfilled. In 1912, the grand temple was completed by Shri Shyamsunder Mishra, the chief of Tarajana Gram.
Installation of the Deities
Lord Dadhibaman Mahaprabhu and Satihari were ceremoniously installed on the Ratna Singhasana (throne), where they are worshipped to this day.
"The famous Ratha Jatra festival, which has been held since 1600 AD, now had a grand abode for its presiding Lord, solidifying Bhatli as the 'Western Shrine' of Odisha."
The Western Shrine
Why Bhatli is 'Paschima Srikshetra'
Bhatli Dham is not just a temple; it is revered as the 'Western Srikshetra' (Western Shrine) of Odisha for several profound reasons.
Our Guiding Purpose
Mission & Vision
The core principles that guide the Sri Dadhibaman Mahaprabhunka Pabitra Rathayatra Parichalana Committee.