All World Temple

Maa Biraja Temple, Jajpur, Odisha

Maa Biraja Temple Jajpur Odisha 1068x601 1

Maa Biraja Temple Jajpur Odisha 1068x601 1

Important information

  • Location: Jajpur, Odisha, India 755007
  • Festivals: For Other Festival Detail Click here
  • Main Deity: Maa Biraja For Other Deity Detail Click here
  • Languages: English & Hindi
  • Darshan Timings: 4:00 AM to 01:00 PM || 3:00 PM to 10:00 PM 
  • Best Season To Visit: All
  • How To Reach

Maa Biraja Temple is a historic Hindu temple located in Jajpur (about 125 kilometers (78 mi) north of Bhubaneswar), Odisha, India. it is called the Viraja or the Biraja kshetra. Jajpur is known to have about one crore of Shiva lingams. Biraja or Viraja Temple is one of the significant Maha Shakthi Peetas. Here the main idol Durga Devi is worshipped as Girija (Viraja) and Lord Shiva as Jagannath. Adi Sankara describes the goddess as Girija in his Ashtadasha shakti Peetha stuti. Here Maa Biraja Devi is worshiped as Trishakti Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati.

History

According to Shiv Puran, this temple is among 51 Shakti Peeths. Lord Vishnu divided the body into 51 parts utilizing his Sudarshan chakra. Out of those 51 parts, from which the ‘Navel’ of Sati fell to this place.

According to Brahmanda Purana, when Brahma (the creator of the Whole world) performed a Yajna (wonderful sacrifice) on the river Baitrani. Parvati appeared from the Garhapatya flame as an outcome of Brahma’s invocation and suggested Brahma identify her as Biraja. Brahma wished to Parvati and asked her to stay at the Kshetra as the magnificent consort of Siva. Parvati created and concurred Nine Durgas, Sixty Four Yoginis, Eight Chandikas, and asked to stay in the Kshetra eternally. Due to the existence of this goddess, this land was popular as Shakti Peetha. At Biraja Temple, Lord Vishnu is in Varaha avatar.

Jajati Keshari, a ruler of the Kesari empire constructed the Biraja temple in Jajati Nagar (now Jajpur) in the 13th century throughout the Kalinga time. The deity, Maa Biraja which stands 70 feet from the flooring is believed to be worshipped from the 5th Century. The temple is called after King Jajati Keshari. According to the legend, the place is also considered as ‘Gadakhestra’, as Bhima’s Gada (mace) was lying in this sanctuary. In front of the temple stand 2 lions just above the elephant. This is a sign of the achievement of the Keshari dynasty (Symbol of Lion) than the Gajapati dynasty (Symbol of an elephant) in Orissa.

A wonderful Yagna (sacrificial oblation) was performed over the body of Gayasur, (the fantastic devil devotee of Lord Vishnu) by the Lords Shiva, Brahma, and Vishnu to eliminate the devil. Gayasur’s feet were in Pada Gaya (a place in Pithapuram, Andhra Pradesh), nabhi (Navel) in Biraja Kshetra or today’s Jajpur, considered as Nabhi Gaya and head at Shiro Gaya. The specific area is in a well that is located inside the Biraja temple simply near to Maa Biraja.

Importance

Maa Biraja Devi temple is a Shakti Peeth and ‘Nabhi Gaya’, among the 3 most significant sites. The Skanda Purana explains Maa Biraja cleans devotees who worship here. This is among the couple of temples where Devi Bagalamukhi has been blessed. This ‘Roop’ of the Dasa Mahavidya is barely seen in temples.

Architecture

Ancient proof verifies a temple was constructed in the 2nd or very first century CE during the Gupta duration. Later on, a temple was constructed in the 13th century CE. At this time the temple complex had numerous other temples devoted to the different goddesses. In 1569 the temple complex was damaged by intruders. It lay in damages for a long period of time till it was reconstructed by a rich Zamindar (Land Owner) in about 1840.

Idol

The idol of the Devi in the temple reveals Her standing on Mahishasura. The crown of Maa Biraja has engravings of Lord Ganesh, a Shivling, and a crescent moon.

Festivals

Other Temple in Temple Campus:

On one side of the temple is a temple for Bagalamukhi Devi, among the ‘Dasa Mahavidyas’. The triangular complex has a Shivling dedicated in each of the 3 corners.

Temples near

Temple Timings

Darshan Timing

Morning TimingEvening Timing
04:00 AM to 01:00 PM03:00 PM to 10:00 PM

Aarti, Bhog and Pooja Timing

Aarti, Bhog, and PoojaTiming
morning Seva and Aarti4:00 AM TO 4:30 AM
midday Seva1:00 PM
afternoon Seva3:00 PM
evening Arati7:00 PM
night Seva10:00 PM

How to Reach

  • By Air: The nearby Airport is Bhubaneswar Airport and it is 103 km away from the temple.
  • By Train: The nearby railway station is Jajpur Keonjhar railway station and it is 30 km away from the temple.
  • By Road: The nearby Bus Stand is Jajpur Bus stand and it is 2 km away from the temple.

Temple Video and Images

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