The Jagannatha Temple at Pitala is an important Vaishnava shrine located in Pitala town of Ganjam district, Odisha. Pitala lies in the southern part of the district and functions as a local administrative and commercial centre. The temple occupies a prominent position in the religious and cultural life of the town and its surrounding villages, reflecting the widespread popularity of Jagannatha worship beyond the coastal heartland of Odisha. Although no dated inscription from the temple has yet been reported, the origin of the Jagannatha Temple at Pitala is generally attributed to the late medieval or early modern period (approximately 17th–18th century CE). This period witnessed the extensive spread of the Jagannatha cult across Odisha, often supported by regional chiefs, zamindars, and local elites. The establishment of a Jagannatha temple at Pitala indicates the integration of this inland settlement into the broader religio-political network centred on Puri. Local traditions suggest that the temple was founded through the patronage of influential families or local rulers who considered Lord Jagannatha the supreme deity and protector. Over time, the shrine developed into a focal point for community worship and festival observance. The presiding deities are Lord Jagannatha, Balabhadra, and Subhadra, worshipped in the traditional wooden icon form characteristic of Jagannatha temples. The temple follows the ritual and ceremonial framework of the Jagannatha tradition, adapted to local customs and resources.