Khirachora Gopinath Temple | Timings & Festivals

Khirachora Gopinath Temple is situated in Remuna. It is a little town located 9 km east of Balasore, about halfway between Howrah and Bhubaneswar in Orissa. The name Remuna results from the word Ramaniya which means very good-looking. Khirachora temple’s morning timings are 05:30 am to 12:30 pm, and the evening timings are 04:00 pm to 08:30 pm.

The chief Deity here is Sri Gopinath, who stole the sweet rice meant for ‘Madhavendra Puri’. Here the visitors witness the other alters next to Gopinath, which are Sri Govinda, Sri Madan Mohan, Sri Radha-Rasbihari and the famous Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, along with Lord Jagannath.

Khirachora Gopinath Temple History:

Khirachora Gopinath Temple

According to the mythology, Gopinath had carved an arrow of Sri Rama, which was worshipped by Maa Sita, wife of Sri Rama, in Chitrakut. One of the kings in Odisha, Langula Narasingha Dev, brought this Deity from Chitrakut to Remuna; in the 13th Century. Along with that, the king dug two big tanks, popularly known as Bajra Pokhari and Kutapokhari.

The story says that more than 500 years ago, Madhavendra was going to Puri to get some scented sandalwood for the Deity Sri Gopal of Vrindavana. But, he stopped in Gopinath at Remuna and felt very happy to see Gopinath. When Gopinath saw the preparation of Kshira, Gopinath wanted to taste that so he may easily complete the preparation of Kshira for Sri Gopal; in the same way.

But, he had yet to offer Kshira, and thus, he did not find its taste and left the Temple. When the Pujari (priest) slept after the daily worship of Lord Krishna or Sri Gopinath, Sri Gopinath told the Pujari in his dream to get up and carry the Kshira the God himself hid under his garments forMadhvendra Puri.

The Pujari got the Kshira under the garment of God and carried it to Madhvendra Puri. Thus, the place began to be known as Khirachora Gopinath. Madhvendra Puri stayed here in an Ashram established by him for some time. Pujaris worship the sandalwood brought by him these days.

Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu came and worshipped Lord Gopinath; while he was doing so, the flowers from the body of Deity fell on the head of Chaitanya. The latter took this as a sign of Lord Gopinath’s blessing and danced joyfully.

Khirachora Gopinath Temple Timings:

Khirachora temple’s morning timings are 05:30 am to 12:30 pm, and the evening timings are 04:00 pm to 08:30 pm.

DaysMorning TimingsEvening Timings
Monday05:30 am to 12:30 pm4:00 pm to 8:30 pm
Tuesday05:30 am to 12:30 pm4:00 pm to 8:30 pm
Wednesday05:30 am to 12:30 pm4:00 pm to 8:30 pm
Thursday05:30 am to 12:30 pm4:00 pm to 8:30 pm
Friday05:30 am to 12:30 pm4:00 pm to 8:30 pm
Saturday05:30 am to 12:30 pm4:00 pm to 8:30 pm
Sunday05:30 am to 12:30 pm4:00 pm to 8:30 pm

Best time to visit Khirachora Gopinath Temple:

October to March is the perfect season to visit Khirachora Gopinath Temple. There is a heavy rush of devotees during this period.

Festivals at Khirachora Gopinath Temple:

Some of the festivals are here

  • Janmashtami 
  • Ekadashi
  • Holi 
  • Ram Navami 
  • Akshaya Tritiya 
  • Jagannath Rathyatra 
  • Ganeshotsav
  • Ganesh Chaturthi 
  • Vijya Dashmi  
  • Sharad Poonam 
  • Diwali  
  • Tulsi Vivah
  • Manbasa Thursday

Aarti at Khirachora Gopinath Temple:

Every morning just after the mangala arati darshan of Shri Khirachora Gopinaththere is Harinama-sankirtana with parikrama of the TempleTemple from outside the compound. The evening arati at the Shri Khirachora Gopinath temple is spectacular. 

Just before seven pm, the curtain draws closed. Two pujaris in the Deity room play gongs, someone in the courtyard plays a big drum, and a kirtan group sings and plays mrdanga drums and karatalas (hand cymbals), altogether making a tremendous sound.

Khirachora Gopinath Temple Dress Code:

  • For men, the preferred dress is a shirt & Trousers, Dhoti or Pyjamas with the upper cloth.
  • For women, the preferred dress is a saree or half saree with a blouse or chudidhar with pyjamas and upper cloth.
  • Shorts, mini skirts, middies, sleeveless tops, low-waist jeans and short-length T-shirts are prohibited.

Tourist places nearby Khirachora Gopinath Temple:

Hotels nearby Khirachora Gopinath Temple:

  • Panthnivas Chandipur
  • Zaika International
  • Hotel Leo Sai Palace
  • Panchajanya Hotel
  • Hotel Nishi
  • Draupadi Hotels
  • Hotel Suraj
  • Panthnivas Balasore
  • Hotel Starway

Khirachora Gopinath Temple Address:

Khirachora Gopinath Temple, Remuna, Bhubaneswar, Balasore, Orissa.

How to reach Khirachora Gopinath Temple:

By Road:

Remuna bus stand is the nearest bus stand.

By Rail:

The Balasore Railway Station is the nearest railway station to Remuna. So visitors can easily travel from the station to the temple area.

By Air:

Biju Patnaik Airport at Bhubaneswar is the nearest airport.

FAQs:

Who built Khirachora Gopinath Temple?

King Langula Narasingha Deva, the king of Utkala, brought this Deity to Remuna in the 13th Century from Chitrakuta. This king arranged to have dug the two big tanks, Brajapokhari and Kutapokhari.

What is khirachora gopinath famous for?

Remuna is famous for the Khirachora Gopinath Shrine. Many people come from nearby and far-off places to visit here. The Pujari worships the beautiful idols of Lord Krishna and others.

When was the Gopinath temple built?

It had said that Lord Rama carved the Deity of Gopinatha with His arrow and that Sita worshipped this Deity in Chitrakuta. King Langula Narasimha Deva of Utkal brought this God to Remuna in the 13th Century from Chitrakuta, as instructed by the Lord in a dream and built a temple naming it Shri Gopinatha Mandir.

How far is Gopinath Temple from Balasore?

Khirachora Gopinatha Temple is situated in Remuna and is 9 km from Balasore.

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