Chandaneswar Temple - Official Page — Attraction in Odisha

Overall Experience: Disappointing and Disrespectful

I visited the temple on November 16, 2023, and was left with a deeply disheartening experience. The temple's sacredness was tarnished by the behavior of the priests, who exhibited greed, exploitation, and a disregard for the sanctity of the place.

The first red flag was the pujari's blatant chewing of paan, a habit that is considered unhygienic and disrespectful within the temple premises. This act displayed a lack of reverence for the holy atmosphere.

Furthermore, I was coerced into purchasing puja items from the temple's shop, even though I had brought my own. This blatant profiteering and insistence on temple-specific items felt like an attempt to manipulate devotees.

However, the most shocking aspect of my visit was the escalating demand for money from the pujari. He started with a request for 100 rupees, and with each successive demand, he raised the amount until I had handed over a total of 300 rupees. This exorbitant fee was unreasonably imposed and deeply uncomfortable.

Such behavior is a stark contradiction to the principles of spirituality and devotion. God does not reside in places where greed and materialism take precedence. A devotee's ability to worship should not be determined by their financial capacity.

In light of this appalling experience, I strongly urge the Odisha government to take immediate action against the priests involved. Their conduct has tarnished the reputation of the Temple and brought disrepute to the Hindu faith.

Strict regulations must be implemented to prevent such incidents from recurring. The sanctity of the temple must be upheld, and the rights of devotees must be protected.

I implore the government to address this issue with urgency and restore the true essence of this revered...

Located in the border of West Bengal in Chandenswar , Baleswar district of Odisha. A Famous lord Shiva temple. . A huge annual fair in the Solar New Year pana sankranti, the first day of the Odia calendar, is celebrated on the premises. A large number of pilgrimages from all over the country visit the temple during this period.It is very colse to beach town Digha in WB and one can visit this place during Digha tour. Located within 7 km from Digha one can opt for small vehicle to visit this famous temple. One thing I must add that during my visit in july 23 rd 2018, I found the temole premise in a very dirty condition. Also in the entrance of the gate some kind of donation is collected from outside visitors which is not a good sign...

The Chandaneswar Mandir near Digha is a place with both good and bad aspects. The temple, devoted to Lord Shiva, is old and important to many people. Inside, it feels peaceful and spiritual. However, the area around the temple could be improved. It can be crowded and a bit messy, and some priests ask for money. The area could also be cleaner. If you like visiting old temples, it's worth going for the spiritual experience. But, the experience might not be the most peaceful or cleanest, and it's best to be ready for the priests. It's a place for devotion, not necessarily a relaxing...