Lobhi Thakurani Temple, also known as Lovi Thakurani Temple,
is located at Garh Santry, a village 17 km off Angul town in Odisha. The
Goddess blesses children with long life and prosperity. The name of the goddess
‘Lobhi’ means greediness. People say that this greediness is positive and is
associated with greediness of devotion, offerings and to sacrifice egoism.
Legend has it that the Goddess was originally worshipped by
demon king Ravana. After Rama killed Ravana, the Goddess followed Bhagavan Sri
Ram to Ayodhya and on the way she settled at Garh Santry.
The main ritual associated with the temple is observed on
Kartik Purnima, the full moon day in Kartik month, which falls in November. The
main offering during the festival is the tonsuring of hair. The festival is known
as Lobhi Thakurani Yatra.
The shrine is small but beautiful. It is decorated with
paintings and sculptors of various manifestations of mother Goddess Shakti.