->Chris the speller: /* Deity and temple rituals */replaced: everyday → every day

2022-01-04T04:12:30Z

Deity and temple rituals: replaced: everyday → every day

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{{short description|Temple dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi}}
{{Infobox Mandir
| name = Gandhi Temple, Bhatara
| History =
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| country = [[India]]
| state = [[Odisha]]
| district =
| location = Bhatara, [[Sambalpur district|Sambalpur]]
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|religious_affiliation=[[Gandhism]]}}

'''Gandhi Temple''' built in 1974 is situated at Bhatara in [[Sambalpur district]] of the state of [[Odisha]] on the eastern coast of [[India]].<ref>{{cite web |title=7 new sites to get tourist spots recognition in S'pur |url=https://www.dailypioneer.com/2013/state-editions/7-new-sites-to-get-tourist-spots-recognition-in-spur.html |website=www.dailypioneer.com |publisher=The Pioneer |access-date=1 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001051636/https://www.dailypioneer.com/2013/state-editions/7-new-sites-to-get-tourist-spots-recognition-in-spur.html |archive-date=1 October 2020}}</ref> This temple is dedicated to [[Mahatma Gandhi]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Mahatma Gandhi, Chinese Kali, and a Sachin Tendulkar temple: 10 unusual temples in India for the unconventional Indian gods |url=https://www.news18.com/news/buzz/mahatma-gandhi-chinese-kali-and-a-sachin-tendulkar-temple-10-unusual-temples-in-india-for-the-unconventional-indian-gods-711048.html |website=www.news18.com |publisher=News18 |access-date=1 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001043000/https://www.news18.com/news/buzz/mahatma-gandhi-chinese-kali-and-a-sachin-tendulkar-temple-10-unusual-temples-in-india-for-the-unconventional-indian-gods-711048.html |archive-date=1 October 2020}}</ref> This is the first temple of India, dedicated to Gandhiji.

== History ==
In the 1960 decade [[Untouchability]] was still prevailing in Sambalpur. To stop this heinous practice of untouchability the villagers of Bhatara decided to construct a Gandhi Temple in their village.<ref>{{cite web |title=Dalits build Gandhi temple in Sambalpur |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Dalits-build-Gandhi-temple-in-Sambalpur/articleshow/2423260.cms |website=www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com |publisher=The Times of India |access-date=1 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161007232145/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Dalits-build-Gandhi-temple-in-Sambalpur/articleshow/2423260.cms |archive-date=1 October 2020}}</ref> Abhimanyu Kumar, a former legislator of Rairakhol assembly constituency too the lead and was supported by all the villagers. The foundation stone of the temple was laid on 23 March 1971 and the temple was formally open by then Chief Minister of Odisha [[Nandini Satpathy]] on 11 April 1974.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Subrat Mohanty |title=Ramdhun to recall Bapu |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/odisha/ramdhun-to-recall-bapu/cid/340387 |website=www.telegraphindia.com |publisher=The Telegraph |access-date=1 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001050738/https://www.telegraphindia.com/odisha/ramdhun-to-recall-bapu/cid/340387 |archive-date=1 October 2020}}</ref>

== Deity and temple rituals ==
A bronze idol of Gandhiji of height 3.5 ft is installed in the temple. Ashoka Stambha, the [[State Emblem of India]] is placed at the entrance of the temple. [[Flag of India|Tiranga]], the tri-colour national flag of India is waved on the [[shikhara]] of the temple. The statue inside the temple is being worshiped by a [[dalit]] priest every day. Gandhiji's favourite scriptures [[Bhagavad Gita]] and [[Raghupati Raghava Raja Ram|Ram Dhun]] are read every morning and evening. [[Republic Day (India)|Republic Day]], [[Independence Day (India)|Independence Day]] and [[Gandhi Jayanti]] are celebrated as special occasions here.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mahatma Gandhi Temple in Bhatra, Sambalpur |url=https://www.mysambalpur.in/2012/10/mahatma-gandhi-temple-in-bhatrasambalpur/ |website=www.mysambalpur.in |access-date=1 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001051938/https://www.mysambalpur.in/2012/10/mahatma-gandhi-temple-in-bhatrasambalpur/ |archive-date=1 October 2020}}</ref>

== Location ==
The temple is located within a distance of 500m from the [[National Highway 53 (India)|National Highway No 53]]. [[Jharsuguda Airport]] is 61 km and Kshetarajpur railway station is 10 km away from the temple. The temple is well connected to the district headquarter of Sambalpur via road.

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Tourist attractions in Odisha]]
[[Category:Memorials to Mahatma Gandhi]]

Gandhi Temple, Bhatara - Revision history

->Chris the speller: /* Deity and temple rituals */replaced: everyday → every day