The historic Sri Baladevjew Temple, located in Righagarh within the Ishwarpur panchayat of Rajnagar block in Kendrapara district, is a site of great cultural importance. According to local legends, this temple is a tribute to King Balabhadra Bhanja of the Bhanja dynasty. Constructed in the late 14th century, it served as a significant landmark when Righagarh was the capital of the Kanika estate, with its royal palace situated nearby.

Originally commissioned during King Biswanath Bhanja's reign, the temple was completed under King Balabhadra Bhanja, who personally installed the deities. A significant restoration in 1909 by King Rajendra Narayan Bhanjadeo transformed the temple into its current form. Since then, it has been maintained by the temple trust of the Kanika royal family. However, as the capital was relocated in the early 20th century, Righagarh experienced a decline, leading to the eventual ruin of the grand palace. Despite its rural setting, the temple stands as a vibrant reminder of the region's illustrious history and a proud emblem of Kendrapara's cultural legacy.

Notably, while the three principal deities were sculpted in the traditional Srikhetra style, the idol of Lord Balabhadra is significantly larger than that of Lord Jagannath. The temple's jagmohan features Rajasthani architectural elements, and its Singhadwara is adorned with exquisite carvings depicting Vishnu's ten avatars from Jayadeva’s Gita Govinda, along with the Navagrahas. Inside the sanctum, visitors can find a brass representation of Narasimha alongside Radha-Krishna, four-armed Vishnu idols, rare palm-leaf manuscripts, and sacred shalagrams.

Despite its rich heritage, the temple has faced neglect over the years. Poor pathways and a dwindling number of devotees have led to the cancellation of the Rath Yatra for many years. The dense forests and marshy terrain surrounding Righagarh made it impossible to pull a chariot for decades. Even attempts made 70 or 80 years ago were unsuccessful. To continue rituals, a temple chariot adorned with intricate Rangoli was created within the shrine. Recently, local youth and cultural figures, including Professor Lalit Lenka and Devendra Raul, along with support from Kanika royal Shivendranarayan Bhanjadeo and Queen Mrunalini Devi, have reignited hopes for a grand Rath Yatra now that the roads to Righagarh have been fully paved. Bhanjadeo expressed optimism that, with collective efforts, a full-scale chariot festival could soon be realized.