About Khirachora Gopinatha temple

Khirachora Gopinatha Temple (Oriya: କ୍ଷୀରଚୋରା ଗୋପୀନାଥ ମନ୍ଦିର୍) is in Remuna. It is a little town 9 km east of Balasore. The name "Remuna" is from the word "Ramaniya" which means very good-looking. "Khirachora" in Oriya means Stealer of Milk and Gopinatha means the Divine Consort of Gopis. The reference is to child Krishna's love for milk and milk products.

Lord Khirachora Gopinatha

Lord Gopinatha, flanked by Sri Govinda and Sri Madana Mohana, is made of black stone. Sri Gopinatha stands in bas-relief. Govinda and Madan Mohan, who were brought from Vrindavana in about 1938 by a devotee named "Chaitanya Dasa Babaji", are standing freely. It is said that Sri Rama carved Gopinath with His arrow and that Sita worshiped this deity in Chitrakuta. During vanvas to show the next avatar vigraha to Sita.

King Langula Narasingha Deba, the king of Utkal, brought this deity to Remuna in the 13th century from Chitrakuta. This king is also said to have arranged to dug two big tanks, Brajapokhari and Kutapokhari for the Temple.

History of the Temple

Over 500 years ago Madhavendra Puri was going to Puri to get some sandalwood for his Sri Gopal deity in Vrindavana. When he stopped at Remuna and saw Sri Gopinath, his heart was filled with devotion and joy. When he saw the delicious khira (stuffed milk) offered to the deity, he desired to taste some so he could offer the same preparation to Sri Gopala. Madhavendra Puri would only accept food that was spontaneously offered to him, and he seldom asked anything.

Very interesting transcendental pastimes related to Their Lordships Sri Khira ChoraGopinatha.

(1) The Deity of Sri Gopinatha was carved by Lord Ramacandra Himself in Treta-yoga in the forest of Citrakuta during His fourteen year exile from Ayodhya.

(2) Srimati Sita-devi worshiped this Gopinatha Deity carved by Her husband Lord Ramacandra until the time she was kidnapped by Ravana.

(3) Lord Brahma then continued the seva-puja for the seven hundred year balance of Treta-yuga.

(4) About 800 years ago, the Lord out of His will left Citrakuta and came to Remuna through Orissan Vaishnava monarch named King Langula Nrsimha Dev.

(5) About 600 years ago, Lord Gopinatha stole Khira (condensed milk) for his dear-most devotee, Sri Madhavendra Puri, and became famous by the name KhirachoraGopinatha meaning "one who stole condensed milk."

(6) The first Chandan Yatra was done here by Sri Madhavendra Puri on the orders of Sri Gopinatha.

(7) Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu visited this Temple on His way from Katwa to Sri Jagannatha Puri Dhama after His sannyasa. When Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu visited the Khirachora Gopinatha temple in Remuna, He told the devotees travelingwith Him how the Deity had come to receive the name Khirachora Gopinatha.

(8) There are also wonderful pastimes that took place with Khirachora Gopinatha’sanother beloved devotee, Sri Rasikananda Dev Prabhu.