SAKSHI GOPALA TEMPLE

This is an important Krishna temple that is dedicated to Saksi Gopala. Saksi Gopala means the witness Gopala. This Deity was originally in Vrindavana.
The story of the Deity is that once there were two Vidyanagara Brahmin, one elderly and the other young. After touring many places of pilgrimage, the two Brahmins finally reached Vrindavana. In reciprocation for the sercice that the young Brahmin rendered, the older Brahmin offered him his daughter in marriage. He promised this before the Gopala Deity in Vrindanana. Some time after they returned to Vidyanagara, the young Brahmin reminded the elderly Brahmin the promises he made. Due to family considerations, the elderly Brahmin said he could not remember the promise. The younger Brahmin then returned to Vrindavana and told the whole story to Gopalaji. Being obliged by the young man’s devotional service and attitude, Shri Gopala followed him to South-India, where He bore witness of the promise of the elderly Brahmin. Hence, by the grace of the lord the marriage was performed. The Deity was later moved to Cuttack, then to the Jagannatha Temple and finally to its present location.

This temple is 10 km west of Jagannatha Puri. Visitor can take a train to this spot, as it is a stop on the Puri-Bhubanswar route. Also tourist can take bus or taxi to reach in this location.