Tirtha Atlas

The sacred geography of the Indic world — every site mapped, dated, storied, and cited.

2271 sites15 countries4 traditions30 centuries
Late medieval · Hindu · India

Varahanatha Temple

Jajpur, Odisha · 20.8584°, 86.3356°

Varaha (Shveta Varaha, boar avatar of Vishnu)Suryavamshi GajapatiKalinga
Sacred since
1400 CE
first attestation / structure
Standing structure
15th-16th c. (Suryavamshi Gajapati)
Suryavamshi Gajapati

History & significance

An ASI-protected temple on the island formed by the Vaitarani at Jajpur, enshrining the white Varaha form of Vishnu; the Madala Panji credits its building to Prataparudra Deva and it was later renovated under the Maratha ruler Raghoji I Bhonsle. Its deula and subsidiary shrines are a substantial example of medieval Kalinga temple building.

Sthala katha — the legend

Legend says that when the Vedas were stolen during Brahma's ashvamedha sacrifice here, Vishnu rose from the sacrificial fire as the boar Varaha to recover them.

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Sources

coordinates: wikipedia-2026-08-27 · sources retrieved 2026-08-26 · dynasty page: Suryavamshi Gajapati