Harishankar Mahotsav 2025
The Harishankar Mahotsav 2025, also known as Baisakh Mela, is held annually during the Nrusingha Chaturdashi in the month of Vaisakh. This celebration honours Lord Vishnu’s incarnation as Nrusingha. In 2025, the mela will occur from May 8 to May 12, promising a five-day spectacle of tradition and Sambalpuri culture. Hosted at the Harishankar and Nrusinghanath Temples in the Gandhamardan Hills, the festival is a confluence of mythology, history, and local art, drawing pilgrims and tourists to this sacred region on the border of Balangir and Bargarh districts.
Historical Significance of Nrusinghanath and Harishankar Temples
The Nrusinghanath and Harishankar Temples, nestled in the Gandhamardan Hills, are steeped in history and spirituality. The Nrusinghanath Temple, located in Paikmal, Bargarh district, was founded by King Baijal Dev, the 8th ruler of the Chauhan dynasty of Patna, in the 15th century AD. Standing 45 feet tall, the temple is divided into two sections: the sanctum sanctorum, housing Lord Nrusingha in his unique Marjara Keshari (feline-lion) form, and the Jagamohan, an assembly hall. Inscriptions on its walls narrate its construction history. On the Balangir side, the Harishankar Temple, discovered in the 14th century by the rulers of Patna, is dedicated to Lord Harishankar, a composite form of Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. A rare 12th-century Dancing Ganesha idol is adorned in the temple.
Venue and Dates for Harishankar Mahotsav 2025
The Harishankar Mahotsav 2025 will be held at the Nrusinghanath Temple in Paikmal, Bargarh district, and the Harishankar Temple in Balangir district. The festival will span from May 8 to May 12, 2025, with the Nrusingha Chaturdashi on May 10 as the highlight, featuring special prayers and processions. The five-day event will include rituals like the Vishwa Shanti Mahayajna (World Peace Fire Ritual), cultural performances, and traditional fairs, culminating in a grand closing ceremony on May 12. A key attraction is the 16-km trekking trail between the two temples, which thousands of devotees undertake during the festival.
How to Reach Nrusinghanath for Harishankar Mahotsav 2025
The temples are accessible by road, rail, and air. Harishankar Temple’s nearest railway station is Harishankar Road, 32 km away, while Khariar Road, 50 km from Nrusinghanath, serves as its closest railhead. Trains from Bhubaneswar, Sambalpur, and Raipur connect these stations.
By road, Nrusinghanath is 50 km from Bargarh, 110 km from Sambalpur, and 113 km from Bargarh city, with buses and taxis readily available. Harishankar is 70 km from Balangir, accessible by bus or taxi.
The nearest airport, Veer Surendra Sai Airport in Jharsuguda, is 100 km from Nrusinghanath, with onward taxi and bus services. From Sambalpur, a 164-km drive to Nrusinghanath, followed by a 16-km hilly road to Harishankar, allows visitors to visit both temples in a day. Local guides are recommended for the hilly routes.
Natural and Cultural Splendor of Gandhamardan Hills
The Gandhamardan Hills, a Biodiversity Heritage Site, are renowned for their ecological richness, with over 1,055 plant species, many with medicinal value, and nearly 500 wildlife species. Mythologically, the hills are believed to be the ones carried by Lord Hanuman from the Himalayas to Lanka to save Lakshman’s life. During the mela, the 16-km trek between the temples offers breathtaking views of lush forests, serene valleys, and waterfalls, attracting adventurers and nature lovers.
The festival also showcases Sambalpuri culture through traditional fairs, where stalls sell handicrafts, local delicacies, and medicinal herbs. Cultural programs, including bhajans, kirtans, and Sambalpuri dances, create an atmosphere of devotion and joy. Whether you seek divine blessings, cultural immersion, or a trekking adventure, this five-day festival promises a memorable journey. Plan your visit to the Gandhamardan Hills from May 8 to May 12 to be part of this sacred celebration.
