History

Sri Nilamadhava Temple is very old and famous Vishnu temple which is near to the bank of Mahanadi, in Kantilo. which is present near to the twin hills with a surrounding forests. A permanent flow of holy water from the feet of Lord Nilamadhava. Lord Siddheswar is also present which are the highlights of the place.

Lord Nilamadhav occupies a central position in the cult of Lord Jagannath.Even now also Lord Nilamadhava shrine is present on the right side of Lakshmi temple in Puri Jagannath Temple.
Kantilo is situated near the river bank of Mahanadi which comes in a block called Khandapada, in Nayagarh District.Nearest railway station is Nayagarh Town and nearest airport is Bhubaneswar. It is advisable that if you are planning to come by train its better get down at Bhubaneswar station because from there you will get frequent buses to Kantilo. Roads are connected to Kantilo which offer regular bus services. It is 73 km from state capital Bhubaneswar and 33 km from Nayagarh District.
It all initiated in a small cave in the Brahmadri hills situated on the banks of Mahanadi, which is known as Kantilo of Nayagarh district today. Here, Biswabasu the local Sabara Chief worshipped Kitung, as the God was known in the Sabara dialect. According to the Puranas, the deity was originally worshipped in the form of an Indranila gem image known as “Nilamadhava”. The daru murty came much later.Located near the confluence of three rivers Mahanadi, Kuanria and Kusumi the temple structure is like the Jagannath temple of Puri. It stands on the right bank of Mahanadi. It is called triveni sangam of Odisha. As there is Beni-Madhava in Prayag, so as here Nilamadhava.

Festivals :

• Maagha saptami Festival or Ratha Saptami is the best festival over here.
• A fair is held on the Ekadashi of the month of Maagha
• A special feastival on ‘PAUSA PURNIMA’ . On this occasion, Lord Neelamadhab is decorated with gold ornaments.