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.
Rath Yatra at Sabara Srikhetra
Koraput holds its own Rath Yatra on the same day as Puri's, and it carries the same tribal idea as the temple.
- Since 1972: the first Rath Yatra here ran on 12 July 1972.
- Chhera Pahanra: the sweeping of the chariot, which the Gajapati king performs in Puri, is done here by a tribal village head.
- Tribal communities: Bonda, Kondh and Paraja families, among others, take part in traditional dress, with offerings and folk dances.
- Three chariots: in 2019, for the first time, three chariots were built, one for each deity, and women pulled Subhadra's chariot.
Rath Yatra falls in June or July, on the second day of the bright fortnight of Ashadha. If you want your trip to include it, tell us when you ask for a quote.
How to reach
The temple is in Koraput town, 0.6 km from the centre. Koraput Junction railway station is 2.6 km from town, and Jeypore Airport 25 km (about 50 min). We pick up from both, and from Visakhapatnam, about five hours away by road via Araku. Every other drive is on the Koraput distance chart.
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.
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.
