Mahurikalua 

Mahurikalua is a well-known tourist destination in Odisha’s Ganjam  district. Thousands of tourists visit this location each year.  

This is one of the area’s favorite picnic spots. This shrine, located in  the Kerandi hills’ woodland, is dedicated to Goddess Mahurikalua. 

History: This temple was worshipped by King Mahuri and his family, and he built it during his dynasty prior to British rule.  

People believed that the deity shielded the king from all harm with a special sword.  

The deity presented the king with a special sword that was very short  but grew in size during the critical time. There is no sign of such a  sword now, and it is only a legend. 

Festivals: Every month’s Sankranti,  especially Mesha Sankranthi, is the temple’s most important celebration.  This day is observed as the temple’s annual feast. On this memorable  day, you can expect around one lakh guests. 

Natural Beauty : This temple is surrounded  by lush green hills, adding to its allure. The beauty is enhanced by the  silence of the hills and the singing of the birds. When you get into  the temple, you can sense the tranquility in your heart.  Here you can enjoy a natural, pollution-free environment. The actual  temple was built on the top of the hill, but the king later built a  temple at the foot of the hill so that numerous devotees could pray to  the deity.