Baladev Jew Temple, Keonjhar, Orissa India

Sri Baladev Jew Temple is one of the historic places located in the small town Ichhapur, in Kendrapara District in the Indian state of Orissa. The presiding god of the temple is Lord Balabhadra. However Lord Jagannath, Devi Subhadra are also worshiped here along with Lord Balabhadra in the Ratna Sinhasan in the main temple. The idol of Goddess Tulsi has also been erected after the sacred seven steps.

Baladev Jew Temple is situated in Ichhapur(Tulasi Khetra), Kendrapara, Odisha. Baladev Jew Temple is a very famous temple of Odisha and Balarama is its main divinity. However, Jagannath and Subhadra are also worshipped in the Ratna Sinhasan in the main temple. An idol representing tulasi as a goddess in a seated position is also present after the sacred seven steps.Known to the pilgrims as ‘ Tulasi Kshetra’, Kendrapara houses the temple of Lord Baladeva. The rites and rituals of Lord Jagannath at Puri are generally followed here which make Kendrapara equally attractive – 95 km from Bhubaneswar.

Baladev Jew Temple is constructed over an area of 2 acres of land. There are 2 parts in the total area, in one part, different temples are there and another part is a beautiful garden. There is a big boundary around the temple, which is 14 meters high.

There are four main parts of Baladev Jew Temple are Sri Mandir, Natya Mandir, Bhoga Mandap and Mukhashala. The main temple height is 75 feet and width is 40 feet. The main temple has a 7 step construction and heavy baulamalia stone are used in this construction. There are other small temples inside the premise, where other Gods and Goddesses are worshipped. All the temples have a beautiful architecture and constructed in traditional way. 

 The Baladev Jew Temple has four parts are Sri Mandir, Natya Mandir, Bhoga Mandap and Mukhashala. The height of the main temple is 75 feet and its width is 40 feet. Aruna Stambha which is 40 feet high and 4 feet girth stands in front of the temple. Baladev Jew Temple has been constructed with heavy Baulamalia stone in traditional 7-step architecture. The top of the temple is adorned with a white flag that waves restlessly. 

Inside the main temple, 3 deities, Sri Baladev Jew, Sri Jagannath and Devi Subhadra are worshipped. They are placed an a platform named as " Ratna Simhasana." There are also many other deities, Sri Govinda Jew, Mahalaxmi, Sri Sudarsan, Sri Balgopal and Shalagrama who are also worshipped.

The middle temple is a bit shorter than the main temple. It has been built in five-step traditional architecture. The ancient Garuda Stambha is inside Jagamohan and it has the Sacred Seven Steps in front of it. Many statues of lion, elephant and even the Navagraha adorn the temple. Idols of Sri Patitapaban and Kshetra Rakshak Sri Hanuman have been placed inside the Batamandir.