Amid the quiet forests near Ulunda village in Subarnapur (Sonepur) district, the Metakani Temple stands as one of Odisha’s most spiritually charged yet lesser-known pilgrimage destinations. Dedicated to Maa Metakani, a revered manifestation of the divine feminine, this ancient shrine offers a deeply meditative experience where faith, folklore, and nature blend seamlessly.
Located about 23 kilometers from Sonepur town, the Metakani Temple Sonepur is not just a place of worship—it is a sacred landscape shaped by centuries of belief, ritual, and oral tradition. Surrounded by dense forest cover, the temple’s isolation from urban noise enhances its mystic atmosphere, making it ideal for devotees and spiritual seekers longing for peace and inner clarity.
Unlike crowded city temples, Maa Metakani Temple invites visitors into stillness. Many pilgrims describe a palpable spiritual energy here—one that lingers long after they leave the forested complex.
Historical Significance and Legends
The origins of Metakani Temple Sonepur are deeply rooted in oral history and folklore. According to local legend, the name Metakani comes from a woman named “Meta”, who is believed to have transformed into a divine being through intense spiritual energy. Over time, this divine presence manifested as Maa Metakani, the goddess worshipped today.
Although there are no definitive inscriptions to pinpoint the exact date of construction, archaeological traces and local narratives suggest that the site has been sacred for many centuries. Historians and residents believe that regional rulers and devotees helped develop and preserve the temple over generations.
The temple is often considered a regional Shakti Peetha, where the feminine cosmic energy is believed to be especially active. Even without grand inscriptions or royal records, the continuity of worship itself stands as living proof of the temple’s antiquity.
Spiritual Importance of Metakani Temple in Odisha
The Metakani temple holds a unique place in Odisha’s religious geography. Worship of Maa Metakani has continued uninterrupted for centuries, and the deity is regarded as a powerful protector of the region. Devotees believe that the goddess blesses sincere seekers with strength, healing, and resolution of long-standing difficulties.
What sets Ma Metakani Temple apart is its holistic spiritual presence. The temple is not only a Shakti shrine but also a cultural anchor for nearby communities. Villagers believe the goddess safeguards their land, crops, and families, creating a spiritual shield over the entire region.
Pilgrims from different parts of Odisha—and even neighboring states—visit Metakani Temple to seek divine guidance, particularly during times of personal hardship, illness, or uncertainty.
Temple Architecture and Design
The architectural style of the Metakani temple reflects traditional Kalinga temple architecture, which is characteristic of Odisha’s sacred structures. The temple features a classic shikhara (tower) rising above the sanctum, symbolizing a connection between earth and the divine.
Key architectural highlights include:
- Carved stone walls adorned with floral and mythological motifs
- Decorated door jambs and sculpted deity figures
- A sanctum sanctorum (garbhagriha) housing the idol of Maa Metakani
- A mandapam (congregation hall) for rituals and gatherings
- A natamandapa (dance hall) embellished with carvings of musicians and dancers
What makes Ma Metakani Temple architecturally unique is how seamlessly it blends with its natural surroundings. The forest is not merely a backdrop—it is an extension of the sacred space. The temple appears as though it emerged organically from the earth, reinforcing the idea of divine harmony with nature.
The fortifications in the ancient structure follow the site-vastu for temple design and follow site-constructed for orientation and energy-exposed forms of physical balance, referring to the seasons for chief construction use.
The site has space for smaller shrines, meditation rooms, and other small provisions for the devotees. The temple’s design to enclose the natural forest surrounding its defense represents unrivaled harmony, as the temple looks like it grew there. However, the forest-space around the temple and shrine recognized its spirit by its spirals of symbolic construction,n sacred structure, and the sacred forest were connected.
This unique atmospheric setting further enhances the ease of the devotees’ spiritual experience. The design had common-sense attributes such as the proper subsurface drainage and ventilation of dehydration and sub-structure exposure for the devotees, etc.
Religious Significance and Deity
Maa Metakani, the presiding deity of the Metakani Temple, is regarded as a form of divine feminine energy. She is said to be another incarnation of Maa Sureshwari, where her protective and nurturing side comes out. To devotees, Maa Metakani embodies a divine force that can fulfill all genuine desires and repel negative forces.
This goddess is known as being miraculous and demonstrating her power by blessing those who approach her sincerely and with true devotion to prayer. The local tradition has many miraculous instances of the goddess to show local devotees that the goddess is real and powerful. The goddess’s ability to assist in miracles has drawn pilgrims from great distances to worship her. Local tradition also indicates that the goddess shows extra kindness to women, children, and to people who are having difficulty in their personal lives.
The religious significance of the temple is not limited to individual worship. The temple is a place for gathering for all the people in the communities where the temple sits. It provides a place where people come together in a meaningful way, for geographic and cultural purposes. The goddess is believed to sanctify the entire region and, through her presence, create a spiritual protective umbrella over all local communities in the area.
Simply put, the local rituals, offerings, and prayers associated with the temple are sacred to maintain the sacred energies of the temple and reactivate the goddess’s excited energy and responsiveness to devotees. Each ritual will ensure the goddess is always there for her devotees and members of the local community when they call upon her.
Major Festivals and Celebrations
The Metakani Temple is bustling with activity during the major festivals, Chaitra Purnima and Dashara, observed with great reverence, pomp, and enthusiasm. The festivals build a colossal atmosphere that transforms the normally quiet temple complex into a festival site and draws thousands of devotees from all over the region.
Chaitra Purnima
Celebrated in March–April, Chaitra Purnima is the most significant festival at the temple. Thousands of devotees gather to offer prayers for prosperity, health, and family well-being. The celebrations include:
- Special pujas and rituals
- Cultural performances
- Community feasts
Dashara (Durga Puja)
Observed in September–October, Dashara symbolizes the victory of divine feminine power over evil. The temple is beautifully decorated, and elaborate rituals are performed throughout the festival period.
These festivals not only honor Maa Metakani but also strengthen community bonds and preserve regional traditions.
Visiting Hours and Best Time to Visit
To help visitors and devotees, Metakani Temple has established visiting hours, while also ensuring the temple grounds are kept safe and maintained at different times. Generally, the temple opens very early in the morning for the first prayer service, and remains open for devotees and visitors throughout the day, as there are specific times for different rituals and services.
As for seasonality, visitors should consider coming between October and March in the cooler months, typically when the weather is most favorable for spiritual activities, and many important festivals will take place. Because of the numerous festivals held during this time, it is an excellent opportunity for visitors to behold the cultural events associated with the temple. The monsoon season brings great natural beauty and is well known for its many green forests, but travel may become burdensome on the rainy and difficult roads.
The recommended time to visit the temple is during the early morning because it is the best way to have an authentic spiritual experience in terms of peace and tranquility in the sacred atmosphere of the temple. The morning prayers and rituals are unique during this time to develop a self-transcending, soulful, and connected experience.
In the evening ceremony or festivities, people come from both near and far to observe the temple brightly lit, in addition to cultural or kirtan events often found in the temple on a festive occasion. Visitors are recommended to get information from public officials or temple committee members before arriving to identify the best period or arrangements during some festival timeframes.
Facilities and Amenities
The Metakani Temple complex provides the kinds of facilities and services to assure comfort and convenience for devotees and visitors. The temple management makes available sufficient infrastructure for visiting pilgrims who arrive at the temple complex, especially during festivals and on other special occasions.
The Metakani temple complex provides essential facilities to ensure a comfortable visit:
- Parking for two-wheelers and four-wheelers
- Clean drinking water
- Toilet facilities maintained for hygiene
- Shaded resting areas for devotees
- Shops selling flowers, puja items, and prasad
- Basic first-aid and medical assistance
Temple management will always strive to improve the facilities as much as possible while maintaining the sacred atmosphere and traditional character of the holy site.
Things to do near Metakani Temple
- Visit Subarnameru Temple in Subarnapur
- Explore Sambalpur for culture and heritage
- Take a nature walk in surrounding forests
- Plan a trip to Hirakud Dam, one of India’s largest dams
Additional details
- The main deity of Metakani Temple is the goddess Metakani, who is depicted as a four-armed goddess riding a lion.
- The temple has a sanctum sanctorum, which houses the main deity. The sanctum sanctorum is surrounded by a mandapam, or congregation hall.
- The temple also has a natamandapa, or dance hall. The Natamandapa is decorated with sculptures of dancers and musicians.
- The temple is surrounded by a courtyard, which is surrounded by a wall.
- The temple complex also has some smaller shrines and temples.
- Metakani Temple is a popular pilgrimage destination for Hindus from all over India. The temple is also a popular tourist destination for visitors from all over the world.
Tips for visiting Metakani Mandir
- The best time to visit Metakani Temple is during the winter months (October to March). The weather is pleasant during these months.
- The temple is open from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
- Visitors are required to dress modestly when visiting the temple.
- Visitors are also required to remove their shoes before entering the temple.
How to Reach Metakani Temple, Sonepur
Open Timing
Maa Metakani temple opening time is Monday to Sunday, 6 am to Evening 8 pm
By Road
Metakani Temple is well-connected by road from Sonepur town.
- Closest Bus Stand: Sonepur (23 km)
By Rail
- Nearest Railway Station: Balangir (70 km)
By Air
- Nearest Airport: Veer Surendra Sai Airport, Jharsuguda (120 km)
- Bhubaneswar Airport: ~297 km
From these points, taxis and local transport can take you to Ulunda village and the temple complex.
