The short answer
Khirachora Gopinatha Temple, Remuna: what visitors should know first
Yes, if you want an easy temple visit near Balasore. It is about 7 to 10 km from the town. Aim for the evening, when the kshira offering ritual is described, and confirm timings locally before you go.
History and context
The story behind Khirachora Gopinatha Temple, Remuna
Wikipedia gives 1300 AD as the completion date and records a tradition that King Langula Narasingha Deva of Utkala brought the deity to Remuna in the 13th century and had the two tanks dug. The same page does not name the builder of the temple itself.
A devotee named Chaitanya Dasa Babaji brought the figures of Govinda and Madana Mohana from Vrindavan around 1938, according to the same source.
Useful facts
Khirachora Gopinatha Temple, Remuna facts at a glance
- Location
- Remuna, about 7 to 10 km from Balasore
- Faith
- Hindu (Vaishnava)
- Deity/dedication
- Gopinatha, a form of Krishna
- Visitor note
- Famous for kshira offering and prasad
- Built
- Around 1300 AD per Wikipedia
- Festival
- Krishna Janmashtami
Why it matters
Why Khirachora Gopinatha Temple, Remuna is worth your time
The name Kshira-chora means thief of kshira, condensed milk. According to the temple legend recorded on Wikipedia, the saint Madhavendra Puri passed through Remuna on his way to Puri, heard about the evening milk offering, briefly wished to taste it and then regretted the thought. That night the priest dreamed the deity had hidden a pot of kshira for him, and the priest gave it over, saying Gopinatha had stolen it for his devotee.
The story matters because it links Remuna to the wider Vaishnava tradition of Odisha and Bengal, and the temple remains an active place of devotion. For visitors it explains the sweet prasad and the unusual naming, and gives the Chandipur area a pilgrimage anchor close to town.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
Gopinatha in black stone
The main deity is carved in bas-relief, flanked by Govinda and Madana Mohana.
- 02
The kshira legend
The story of the stolen milk gives the temple its name and its famous offering.
- 03
The two tanks
Brajapokhari and Kutapokhari were dug in the 13th century and add calm to the complex.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Remuna sits on the road east of Balasore, so from Chandipur it is a natural stop on the way to or from the town. Hire a taxi or auto, and let the driver wait. The temple complex has a main shrine with Gopinatha in black stone, flanked by standing figures of Govinda and Madana Mohana, and two large tanks nearby, Brajapokhari and Kutapokhari.
The main reason to come in the evening is the kshira offering, described as twelve clay pots of sweetened condensed milk offered to the deity. The temple's identity is tied to this, and the sweet prasad is the famous takeaway. Ask the priests on the day about timing and how the prasad is distributed rather than assuming a fixed schedule.
Bring modest clothing, remove footwear at the entrance and keep phones away unless you see others using them. If you are with older parents, go midweek rather than on Janmashtami or a weekend, when queues get long and the heat builds.
Plan with confidence
Visit as a guest, not a spectator.
- Confirm opening hours locally; sources differ
- Visit midweek if you dislike queues
- Dress modestly and be ready to remove footwear
- Ask about prasad before buying; offerings are sold outside
- Keep valuables in the car
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Remuna, about 7 to 10 km east of Balasore
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Best time
- Evenings, and around Janmashtami when crowds are heavy
- Walking level
- Easy
- Senior comfort
- The approach is on level ground and the visit can be short. Expect crowds and queues at festivals, floors that may be hot or wet, and limited seating. Older visitors usually manage comfortably if they pick a quieter hour.
- Tickets and access
- Entry is free as far as we found. One listing gives hours of 5:30 am to 12:30 pm and 4 pm to 8:30 pm, but only one source supports this, so confirm locally. Odia temple customs often include dress and photography rules; follow signs.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Khirachora Gopinatha Temple, Remuna
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
The approach is on level ground and the visit can be short. Expect crowds and queues at festivals, floors that may be hot or wet, and limited seating. Older visitors usually manage comfortably if they pick a quieter hour.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Why is it called Khirachora Gopinatha?
Kshira-chora means thief of condensed milk. A legend says the deity hid a pot of kshira for a devotee, Madhavendra Puri.
How far is Remuna from Chandipur?
Remuna is about 7 to 10 km from Balasore, which itself is about 16 km from Chandipur. Allow roughly 40 minutes.
What is the best time to visit?
Evenings, when the kshira offering is described, but confirm local timings first. Festival days are very crowded.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
