Wooden Sun Temple Of Odisha - Biranchi Narayan Temple, Buguda

The Sun Temple at Konark, Odisha, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Konark Sun Temple has been in the news for many reasons, including the recent #SaveKonark campaign to save this famous heritage site.

Though many know about this architectural wonder located in Konark in the Puri district of Odisha, many are not aware about the existence of the wooden Sun Temple of Odisha that is located in Buguda, a small town in the Ganjam district of Odisha. Sun God is worshipped in the form of Sri Biranchi Narayana.

Source: @Odisha_Tourism

The wooden Sun Temple is a beautiful architectural marvel with fine workmanship. Wonderful wood work adorns the ceilings and the interior walls of the temple.

Sun temple of Konark is famous for its unique stone sculpture. There is anothersun temple in Odisha,which is famous for its sculpture of wood. Biranchi narayana (Sun) temple of buguda of Ganjam is called as Konark of wood sculpture. pic.twitter.com/uhSllsGnzJ

— Governorship (@Governo42536915) January 14, 2019

As Sun God's worship at this temple has resemblance with that in Konark Temple, thus this place is called the 'Second Konark' (Arka Kshetra). Just like the rising sun's rays touch the feet of the Sun God at Konark, the setting sun's rays do the same at Buguda.

As per palm-leaf inscriptions, this wooden temple was built in the year 1788. The Sun God's image was installed much later in 1822 during the reign of Sri Srikar Bhanj of Bhanj dynasty, who then ruled the princely state named Ghumsar. 

@anitaexplorer Biranchi Narayan Sun Temple,BUGUDA is also known as Wooden #Konark http://t.co/3BAtoFISAN @biswajeetdash @lonelyplanet_in

— Sandeep Kumar Palo (@skpthe1) October 22, 2014

Those who are aware, visit this temple after visiting the Konark Sun Temple. This unique temple attracts pilgrims from all over. They visit Buguda to worship Sri Biranchi Narayan after taking the holy dip at the Chandrabhaga beach in Konark on special auspicious occasions like the Magha Saptami and the Samba Dasami each year.

How To Reach

Buguda is located at a distance of about 80 kilometres west from Berhampur in Ganjam.

Berhampur is a major city that is located about 180 kilometres from the state capital, Bhubaneswar. 

It is well-connected with other cities of Odisha.

You can book a car/taxi from Berhampur to reach Buguda.

Have you ever visited a wooden temple?

W for- Wooden
I am blogging related to Odisha, India for the #AtoZChallenge this year.
Do check out my other #A2Z posts here.