Apart from routine rituals of Jayamangal Arati, Surya Puja and Snana Marjana, lord Balaram of the Siddha Balaram temple here was decorated with gold ornaments on the Raksha Bandhan day on Sunday.
Besides, Kakara prasad (a kind of cake) was distributed for free among the devotees to mark his birthday. The temple was decorated with colourful lights. A grand Bhajaan Samaroha (devotional song concert) was also organised in the temple premises for the purpose.
The lord’s birthday celebration with much pomp and gaiety was initiated for the first time this year by the hiubt effort of the Jagannath Chetana Samiti and the district Collector Rupa Roshan Sahoo.
Sources said the Siddha Balaram temple was founded at the foothill of Paniohala during the reign of Nrisingha Bhramarbar Singh Vidyadhar in 1690. A 5-foot-diameter metallic Chakra has been fixed on the Dadhinauti of the 70-foot-high temple. The 50-foot-high ornamental Mukhasala was endowed by the earstwhile king of Dhenkanal Kunja Bihari, son of Nrisingha Bhramarbar.
History says earlier lord Balaram was being worshipped at different places of ancient Jharkhand principality.
Towards the end of the 16th Century, Sreedhar Bhanj of Salia Bhaanj dynasty of Besalia started to worship the deity by constructing a Mandap in Dhenkanal Town where the present temple has been erected. legend and myths reveals that in 1781 King Trilochan Mahindra Bahadur by the blessings of lord Balaram had resisted Maratha invaders.
Moreover, Gajapati ruler of Khordah had to give up the idea of attacking Dhenkanal as lord Jagannth ordered him in a divine dream that His elder brother Balaram is the protector of Dhenkanal, during the rule of Kunja Bihari. It is believed that the deity was seen floating in water in form of a child.
He is also famous for stealing Khiri from the temple Kitchen. The deity has exhibited hair over his head to save a priest from the royal fury.