Koraput's Jagannath temple sits on a rise in the middle of town, white against the hills. It is the easiest stop on any Koraput trip, and the one with the most local meaning.
- Where
- Koraput town
- Open to
- Visitors of every faith
- Time needed
- About 45 minutes
- Best time
- Early morning
Why this temple is different
Sabara Srikhetra takes its name from the Sabara people, the tribal community that Jagannath tradition holds first worshipped the deity in the forest. The temple was built on that idea: everyone is welcome inside, whatever their caste or religion, which is not true of every Jagannath temple. For a lot of visitors that is the whole reason to come.
What you see
- The main shrine with Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra, and smaller shrines around the courtyard.
- Carved panels and murals that borrow from the district's tribal art rather than only from classical temple styles.
- A high, open platform with a view over Koraput town and the hills behind it, which is worth the walk up on its own.
- Rath Yatra in the monsoon, when the town comes here and the whole plan for that day changes.
Practical notes
- Leave footwear at the stand. There are steps, so anyone with bad knees should take the slow route up.
- Dress simply and cover shoulders and knees. Nobody will stop you, but it is a working temple.
- Photography rules differ between the courtyard and the inner shrine. Ask, and never photograph people praying.
- Opening hours change with the season and with festival days. We confirm them the day before your visit.
Most groups spend forty-five minutes here. It fits comfortably into the first morning of any itinerary, before the drive out to the hills.
What to pair it with
- The Tribal Museum, ten minutes away, which explains the communities whose land you drive through next.
- Upper Kolab in the late afternoon, for sunset over the reservoir.
- A 1-day Koraput plan if you only have the one day, or the 2-day plan if you have the weekend.
