Tucked away near the historic Aul Palace is the 500-year-old Shri Lakshmi Varaha Jew Temple, dedicated to Varaha, the boar incarnation of Vishnu, along with Goddess Lakshmi.
According to local tradition, the deity was originally worshipped at Biraja Kshetra, Jajpur. When the Baitarani River flooded during Shravana and the king could not have darshan, he is believed to have dreamt that Varaha would accompany him to Aul. While returning from Jajpur on horseback, the king heard the divine sound of footsteps following him.
When the sound stopped at Aul, he built the temple at that very spot.
The principal deity is carved from a single black stone, making this shrine particularly fascinating. The temple celebrates Varaha Dwadashi, along with several traditional festivals throughout the year.
A sacred legend, an ancient deity and centuries of devotion—Aul’s Lakshmi Varaha continues to preserve Odisha’s living temple heritage.
Shri Lakshmi Varaha Jiu Temple, Aul, Kendrapara, Odisha.
