Biranchi Narayan Temple
Wooden Konark of Buguda
The 'Wooden Konark' — Odisha's second Sun temple, carved almost entirely in timber.
⭐ Why it is famous
Built in 1790 by the Bhanja king Srikara Bhanjadeva, this is the second Sun temple raised in Odisha after Konark, and its jagamohana is famous for elaborate wood carving and painted panels rather than stone. The presiding image, Biranchi Narayan, fuses Surya with Vishnu-Narayana. It opens this trail as the Sūrya leg.
📜 Pilgrimage history
The idol is said to have been recovered from the ruins of the older Malatigarh fort and re-consecrated when the temple was built. Buguda was then the seat of the Bhanja rulers of Ghumusar, and the temple reflects their patronage of both Vaishnava and Saura (sun-worship) traditions of southern Odisha.
🕰️ Temple timings
- 6:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
🙏 Darśan details
- No ticket for general darshan; photography of the wood carvings is usually allowed outside the sanctum.
- Modest dress expected; the wooden jagamohana ceiling is the highlight, best seen in daylight.
🚉 Location & getting there
📍 Biranchi Narayan Temple, Buguda, GanjamBerhampur (Brahmapur) (BAM) — 45 km
Buguda bus stand — state transport buses stop here.
Biju Patnaik International Airport, Bhubaneswar (BBI) — 165 km
Buguda is off NH16, about 45 km from Berhampur and best reached by taxi via Aska.
🪔 Poojas, sevās & tickets
This temple does not publish a rate list. Darśan is free; ārcanā, abhiṣeka and other sevās are booked at the counter inside the temple on the day.
🧭 Around the temple
Places to see besides the temple — tap any one to open it in Google Maps.
🛏️ Where to stay
- Hotels and lodges in Berhampur, 45 km away
- Simple guesthouses in Bhanjanagar, 20 km away
₹ Indicative trip cost (per head, 2 days)
| Budget | Standard | Comfort |
|---|---|---|
| ₹2,200 | ₹4,200 | ₹8,500 |
🛕 Nearby temples
📌 Other attractions nearby
- Rushikulya river ghats
- Aska sugar-mill town heritage
🧵 Part of these circuits
📅 Best time to visit
October to February, cooler and dry for the coastal plains of Ganjam.