Vaishno Devi Temple, Odisha

A replica of that original one in Jammu, Vaishno Devi Temple in Rourkela was established back in the year 2000. Perched atop Durgapur Hill, this shrine is engirdled by thick green forests and scenic surroundings. Since it has a connection with that of Jammu, Vaishno Devi Temple in Rourkela is reckoned amongst the highly revered Hindu temples in Odisha.

Just like the original one, there is also a Bhairavnath Temple located close to the temple. During the festival of Navratri, the temple receives a heavy footfall of devotees from around the country. The temple of goddess Durga is another religious site, established in 2007, located on the top of the hills. Besides Navaratri, oodles of devotees also mark their presence during the auspicious festival of Durga Puja.

A climb of around 600 stairs takes tourists to this sacred site in Rourkela. Pilgrims can be seen as enchanting prayers and holy verses while climbing up to the temple. Since the temple comes under the Vaishno Devi Temple trust, it includes incredible facilities and smooth arrangements to ascertain the comfort of pilgrims. These include water and sanitation arrangements along with electricity facilities during the night time.

Apart from the pilgrimage, one can savor the mesmerizing views of the whole region. Inside the temple, the view of pilgrim's enchanting prayers and loud bells ringing in the synchronization of their prayers give a whole new vibe and experience, just like the one which you get to savor in the Vaishno Devi Temple in Jammu.

History of Vaishno Devi Temple Rourkela

The Vaishno Devi Temple in Rourkela, Odisha, is one of the most revered Hindu shrines in the state, dedicated to Goddess Vaishno Devi. The temple, similar in reverence to the more famous Vaishno Devi Temple in Jammu, holds a special place in the hearts of devotees.

The history of tourism around Vaishno Devi Temple in Rourkela is relatively recent compared to its ancient counterparts. The surge in its popularity can be traced back to the late 20th century when the city of Rourkela began to develop rapidly as an industrial town due to the establishment of the Rourkela Steel Plant, one of the first integrated steel plants in the public sector in India, built with German collaboration.

As Rourkela grew, so did the facilities and infrastructure that catered to a diverse workforce and their families who settled in the area. Among the many social and community developments was the construction of the Vaishno Devi Temple. It soon became a place of worship as well as a tourist attraction, drawing visitors not only for its spiritual significance but also for its impressive architecture and serene ambiance.

Tourism at Vaishno Devi Temple saw a gradual increase as it became a part of the itinerary of pilgrims and tourists visiting Odisha. With the rise of spiritual tourism in India, the temple started gaining prominence and emerged as an important destination in Eastern India. Devotees believe that a visit to this temple is a journey towards attaining peace and spiritual fulfillment.

How to reach Vaishno Devi Temple, Odisha?

Tourists can reach Vaishno Devi Temple in Rourkela by various means of transport. Rourkela has a well-connected railway station and is accessible by road from nearby cities. The nearest airport is in Ranchi, Jharkhand, from where one can hire a taxi or take a bus to Rourkela. Upon reaching Rourkela, local taxis, auto-rickshaws, and buses are available to reach the temple.