Champaran Temple

Believed to be the birthplace of Saint Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharya, the founder of the Vallabh sect, Champaran is a quaint village, about 60 km from Raipur. Formerly known as Champajhar, it is home to two temples constructed in honor of the saint: Prakatya Baithakji Mandir and Mool Prakatya also known as Chhatti Baithak. A small stream of River Mahanadi flowing nearby is worshipped in the form of River Yamuna.

Champaran is known for being the birthplace of the first Satyagraha movement by Mahatma Gandhi, in 1917. When Gandhi returned from South Africa in 1916, he saw farmers being oppressed by indigo planters. He used the same methodology he had once put to use in South Africa to organize mass protests against this injustice, where Britishers grew indigo forcibly to extract opium for their trade with China. At village Barharwa Lakhansen, Gandhi started the first-ever basic school in November 1917.

Major Attractions in Champaran

Prakatya Baithakji Mandir

This temple has silver doors with intricate designs and is vibrant from the inside. Visitors can visit the temple and explore the paintings of how Jagadguru Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharya was born and brought up.

The shrine inside is adorned with gold and silver and is dedicated to Lord Shri Krishna. Apart from all the rituals and seva done here, many traditional festivals are celebrated with great pomp and grandeur. It is the must-visit temple in Champaran.

Mool Prakatya

Mool Prakatya is the other temple in the Shree Mahaprabhuji Pragatya Sthal temple complex. This temple is decorated with many lights and colors during Baisakhi which is close to the birth date of Mahaprabhuji Vallabhacharya.

A small stream passes through both these temples and is believed to have flown down from the holy river of Yamuna.
Apart from these two major temples, the village of Champaran has the Haveli Temple which is dedicated to Shri Girirajji and Shree Balakrishnalaji. A tiny stream from the Mahanadi River flows beside this temple. The stream is believed to be from River Yamuna and is worshipped by many. Numerous followers of the sect gather at this temple to pay their homage to Mahaprabhuji. This Prakatya Utsav is celebrated on the eleventh day of Baisakh every year.

There is an annual fair held in Champaran each year. A large number of devotees come together to take part in the festivities.

Champaranya Temple Mela

The area of Champaran is a culturally rich region. Champaranya temple mela is one of the best things happening in the temple vicinity.

Folk songs are sung, bull racing is done, and a huge procession is also made. The Champaranya Temple Mela has many ferries, and vendors selling different kinds of food items. This mela is fun and something you can think of doing in Champaran.