Khiching is an ancient city and largely in ruins is situated in Panchpir sub-division of
Mayurbhanj district in
Odisha State of India. It is the location of the
Kichakeshwari Temple
Kishakeshwari Temple ( or, କୀଚକେଶ୍ଵରୀ ମନ୍ଦିର) is temple of Hindu Goddess Chamunda alias Kali located in Khiching, which was the ancient capital of the Bhanja rulers, located about 205 km from Balasore and 1 ...
made from black stone.
Khiching is located about 50 km east of Keonjhargarh city 24 km west of
Karanjia
Karanjia is a town in the eastern Indian state of Odisha, about 221 kilometres (134 mi) north of the state capital Bhubaneswar. It is the sub-divisional headquarter of Panchpir sub-division and a Notified Area Council in Mayurbhanj di ...
.There are several villages in the vicinity, including Sukruli, Kesana, Naupana, Kakharupana, Salabana, Viratagada, Kichakagada. Another nearby village is Singda. The major festival in Khiching is Sivarathri, which is celebrated over seven days.
The major tourist attraction of Khiching is the Temple Of Maa Kichakeswari. The temple was constructed during the year 920/925. Goddess Kichakeshwari, which was not only
ishtadevata and
kuladevi of
Bhanj dynasty but also the State deity of
Princely State
A princely state (also called native state or Indian state) was a nominally sovereign entity of the British Raj, British Indian Empire that was not directly governed by the British, but rather by an Indian ruler under a form of indirect rule, ...
of
Mayurbhanj ruled by them. The temple suffered in the hand of Vandals. King of Mayurbhanj, Maharaja Pratap Chandra Bhanjdeo reconstructed the temple in the year 1934 spending an approximate amount of 85,000.00. Height of the temple is and total area is 1764sq.ft. Main temple remains closed between 12 noon to 3 PM.
There is a museum constructed by Maharaja Purna Chandra Bhanjdeo in the year 1922.
Description
The ancient capital of the Bhanja rules, Khiching lies about 190 km away from Balasore and 130 km from Baripada. Scores of temples dominate the place, some of which are still in active worship. The predominant deity of Khiching is Kichakeswari, the most sacred Goddess of the Mayurbhanj chiefs. The temple dedicated to her is built entirely of
chlorite
The chlorite ion, or chlorine dioxide anion, is the halite with the chemical formula of . A chlorite (compound) is a compound that contains this group, with chlorine in the oxidation state of +3. Chlorites are also known as salts of chlorous ac ...
slabs and unique of it kind in India. The sculptures are beautiful.a museum here boasts of highly important historical specimens of sculpture and art.
References
External links
India Profile page
Villages in Mayurbhanj district
{{Mayurbhanj-geo-stub