The Ananta Vasudeva temple in Bhubaneswar was built in the 13th Century AD. It is stated in an epigraph that a temple was built for ShriKrishna & Balarama on the bank of the Bindu Sarovar tank by Chandrikadevi, daughter of Raja Ananga – Bhimadev III, in the Saka era of 1200 (1278 A.D.). Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, one of the deities in the Hindu trinity, this small but exquisitely carved temple is famous for its “mahaprasad” – divine meal, which thousands partake of daily.
The plan of the Ananta Vasudeva temple differs considerably from that of the other temples. The main temple stands on a uniform platform, a peculiarity which is the first of its kind in a dated temple, and has a three- chambered frontal adjunct consisting of Jagamohana, the Natamandira and the Bhogamandapa. The complete idols of Krishna, Balarama and Subhadra are worshipped there unlike the idols at the Jagannath temple at Puri. Balarama stands under a seven hooded serpent, while Krishna holds a mace, chakra and a conch. It is the only major Vaishnava temple in the city and gives Bhubaneswar its name of ‘Chakra kshetra’ after the idol of Chakradhari Vishnu.
