Maa Ghanteswari Temple, Chiplima: The Mystical ‘Temple of Bells’

Tucked away from the chaotic hum of the city, on the tranquil banks of the Mahanadi River in Bakbira village (Sambalpur district), lies the mystical shrine of Maa Ghanteswari. Located approximately 45 km from the Debrigarh Nature Camp and sitting close to the Chiplima Hydro Powerplant (CHEP), this revered site offers an unforgettable spiritual experience defined by a singular, mesmerizing feature – thousands of bells ringing in unison.

Connected to the mainland via an aging bridge, the temple’s existence is announced to travelers long before it comes into view, thanks to the continuous, rhythmic tolling of bells carrying across the water day and night.

The Sacred Legend of the Oozing Stone

According to Amulya Nayak, a temple priest whose family has served the deity for four consecutive generations, the origin of Maa Ghanteswari dates back to the British era. The story goes that a local fisherman casting his net into the Mahanadi River pulled up a strange, heavy stone. When his wife accidentally chipped the stone with a nail, a miraculous sight occurred—milk, water, and blood began to ooze from the rock.

That very night, the Goddess appeared in the fisherman’s dream, instructing him to worship her on the riverbank. As news of the miracle spread, the village headman approached the King of Nagpur, under whose royal decree the permanent temple was finally erected.

The ‘Lighthouse Without Light’

Long before modern navigation tools existed, Maa Ghanteswari served a deeply practical, lifesaving purpose. Early sailors and boatmen affectionately dubbed it the “lighthouse without light.”

The winds and currents near Chiplima on the Mahanadi River were notoriously dangerous. The large bells originally installed at the temple would ring furiously during heavy winds, acting as an acoustic warning system for sailors to steer clear of treacherous waters. The bells were widely believed to be the Goddess’s personal way of alerting her children to impending danger.

A Spiritual Sanctuary Gaining Recognition

Devotees view Maa Ghanteswari as a powerful embodiment of Maa Kali, the spiritual pull of the site is undeniable. Pilgrims from all across India, including regular visitors from states like Bihar, are drawn to this unique “Peeth.”

While historically treated as a bit of a hidden gem or a footnote on the state’s mainstream tourism map, recent infrastructure developments have begun upgrading the temple premises. Travelers note that while it historically lacked major commercial amenities, the raw, un-commercialized spiritual energy and the sheer sight of sea-of-bells hanging from every available pillar make it a must-visit destination in Western Odisha.