Shivrinarayan Temple – Lord Rama & Shabari

Shvirinarayan temple is situated in the Champa Janjgir district of Chhatisgarh.The temple that was built some 2500 years back and is dedicated to Lord Rama and Shabari.It is one of the most sacred places according to Hindu mythology and is situated at the meeting point of rivers Mahanadi, Jonk and Shivnath.

This place is also famously known as of Chhatisgrah due to the presence of the Shivrinarayan temple. It is believed that in ancient times, an idol of Shri Jagannathji was established in this place which was later moved to Jagannath Puri.According to legends, it is still believed that Shri Jagannathji visits this place.

Shivrinarayan has a significant role in the life of Lord Rama. Lord Rama along with his wife Sita and his younger brother Lakshaman had started his Vanvas (exile) in the Bastar district (more precisely Dandakaranya region) of Chhattisgarh. They lived more than 10 years of their total 14 years of Vanvas (forest exile) in different places of Chhattisgarh. One of the notable places is Shivrinarayan which is located in Janjgir- Champa district of Chhattisgarh state. Shivrinarayan was named after an old female ascetic named Shabari.

When Ram visited Shabari she said “I do not have anything to offer other than my heart, but here are some berry fruits. May it please you, my Lord.” Saying so, Shabari offered the fruits she had meticulously collected to Rama. When Rama was tasting them, Lakshmana raised the concern that Shabari had already tasted them and therefore unworthy of eating. To this Rama said that of the many types of food he had tasted, “nothing could equal these berry fruits, offered with such devotion. You taste them, then alone will you know. Whomsoever offers a fruit, leaf, flower or some water with love, I partake it with great joy.”

The description of this place can be found in relation to every Yug. This place is known as Baikunthpur of Satyug, Rampur of Tretayug, Vishnupur of Dwaparyug and Shivrinarayan of Kalyug.It is believed that Lord Rama’s incarnation of Narayani still resides here secretly.

A huge fair is organised in this temple on the occasion of Maagh Purnima. Various food arrangements are also made and people take baths at the meeting point of rivers Mahanadi, Jonk and Shivnath. The person visiting this place on this occasion is believed to attain salvation. A Ratha Yatra is also organised and people from all over India visit this place on this occasion.

In April 2022 the Shivrinarayan temple was

renovated and beautification work of the Shivrinarayan temple under the ambitious ‘Ram Van Gaman Tourism Circuit’.