As you leave the ocean and drive to the middle of the district, the air is noticeably more still. The trees are getting thicker; and you will eventually arrive at a location where the air has become still, and there is a giant Banyan tree that covers the ground like a green sky. This is the Gorekhnath pitha. Before you enter the temple through the main gate, you will see a large, tranquil pond located just inside the temple gates, in the Jagatsinghpur district. Why is there a pond there? The pond is thought by the yogis that once lived there to have been blessed by them, so even on a hot summer day, it will never dry up.
The water is also considered sacred by the people who live and fish in the pond; they feed the fish, but they never catch them. In the early morning hours, the mist lingers on the pond, and the great tree appears to be floating above the surface. In this way, it is a very modest and simple view of what will be experienced once inside the pitha.
The Gorekhnath temple Jagatsinghpur is an incredibly disciplined establishment; not only does this structure consist of solid stone but it represents many of the principles associated with the Nath Tradition. This location is flat and rich in nutrients; it also lies right on a pathway that connects to the coastline with water on both sides. The Baba Gorekhnath Temple is an amazing example of the power of Faith, as demonstrated through an act of God. According to legend, Guru Baba Gorakhnath meditated for an extended period of time here. During this time period, he sat still enough for an anthill to form on top of him without disturbing him while he continued praying. I had the opportunity to speak with an elderly gentleman named Rabindra who was sitting under the tree at the time of my visit last January.
He explained that all the roots from this Banyan Tree are connected to the single seed that the saint originally planted when he established this temple. It gives you goosebumps to think about how many centuries have gone by while these roots were observing them, however, your spirit will know this is true, far beyond what any sign can provide; it belongs to a person who has or continues to practice Yoga.
Gorekhnath Temple Odisha has the same characteristics as all shrines in India; but the sense of the culture at this shrine is more a place of quiet hard work and deep meditation. This is unlike other temples where people move about in a very fast and busy manner. At Gorekhnath Temple, the movement of people is slow and graceful. Very few words are spoken among people at the shrine, and sacred threads are tied around the overhead roots of the banyan tree. Pilgrims at the temple whisper their prayers to the roots of the tree. I think about a group of pilgrims who came from Cuttack just so that they could sit beneath the tree for an hour and enjoy the peace of the temple. They were not concerned with anything else besides being under the tree. It is a simple place; it wants you to be still and remember that the greatest power is found in the silence of your heart.
For the best experience, go during the winter months (November to February). The summer heat in Jagatsingpur has been known to be harsh, especially when you’re barefoot on the temple’s stone floors. It’s best to wear simple cotton clothes. You can expect to remove your shoes at the gate. My suggestion is to visit the temple during Maha Shivaratri for your best experience of the temple at its peak power. If you prefer meditation, a quiet Tuesday morning is the time to go. Prior to going, you may purchase a small bag of puffed rice from one of the vendors by the gate to help feed the fish in the temple pond. After feeding the fish, take a moment to sit beneath the tree. Relax and allow the peace of the Gorekhnath pitha to wash the noise out of your mind.
