Biraja Temple: Know more about this magnificent Shakti Peeth

Posted on February 21, 2023 by Ghoomophiro

Adi Shakti is worshipped in Hindu temples as the purest form of energy personified and worshipped in female form. The Shakti peeths are the important centres of worship of Adi Shakti. There are many such Shakti peeths in the country, but here we shall discuss our experience of visiting Biraja Shakti Peeth.

All about Birja Shakti Peetha

The Biraja temple is locally known as the BirijaKshetra temple. This shakti peeth temple is located in Jajpur in the Indian State of Odisha and is dedicated to the warrior goddess Devi Durga. According to one of the most important myths of Hindu mythology, Maa Durga killed the demon buffaloe-headed Mahishasura. That is what the idol in the temple shows.

We were mesmerised by the sight of the idol of the goddess with her one hand killing mahishasura with a spear as she held the tail of the demon in the other. She is shown with one foot on the chest of the demon and the other on her Lion, which is her vehicle or vahana.

The idol in the temple has two hands, one hand spearing the chest of the demon mahishasura and the other hand holding the demon’s tail. Her one foot on the chest of the demon and the other on her vahana.

Unlike many other places, Mahishasura is depicted as a Buffalo rather than with partial human anatomy. Devi’s crown is also noteworthy. It has a miniature Ganesha, a Crescent moon and a Shivalinga. The temple also has a large area with several Shiva linga and other deities.

Outside the temple, there is Nabhi Gaya, where local Hindus perform the last rites for their loved ones.

 

Brahma Kund is close by and is considered the place where the yagna resulting in the birth of Biraja devi was done by Brahma.

The legend Biraja Temple Story

The goddess of the temple is considered to be a form devi Adya or the primary goddess. She was born when Lord Bramha, the creator of the universe, performed a yagna in Champak van. Adi Shankara acharya and some other saints have called her Girija, which means the one born from mountains, sane as Devi Parvati.

The name ‘Biraja’ means the one without a Raja or thus one who has only Sattva Guna. She is also considered Vaishnavi in some traditions, which means born out of the Vishnu Yagna.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.s)

There are several questions relating to the Biraja temple. The following are some of the most Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.s) :

Question: Where Is The Biraja Temple Located?

Answer: The Biraja temple in Odisha is located at Jajpur at a distance of 125 kilometres from Bhubneshwar, the capital of Odisha.

Question: Who Built The Biraja Shakti Peeth?

Answer: The shakti Peeth was built by Jajati Keshari. He was a ruler of the Kesari dynasty.

Question: What is the best time To visit Biraja temple?

Answer: The shakti peeth can be visited at any time of the year, and no time is preferable to others.

Question: what is the history of the temple?

Answer: The temple was built back in the thirteenth 13th) century and is considered a Shakti peeth on the authority of Shiv Purana. The Skanda Purana also mentions the temple.

Question: How can one reach Biraja Temple?

Answer: The temple can be easily reached by road, train or air. The temple is located at a distance of thirty kilometres from the nearest railway station – Jajpur Keonjhar station. The Bhubaneswar airport in the capital city of Odisha is the nearest airport, located at a distance of 103 kilometres. The city is well connected to Bhubneshwar via National Highway 16. Locally one can travel by auto-rickshaws.

Question: What are some other tourist attractions nearby?

Answer: We recommend combining your trip to the temple with your visit to the great Hindu religious triangle of Bhubaneswar, Konark and Puri. Konark boasts of a sin temple that is an architectural wonder and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Puri has one of four dhams. Apart from that, there are several sea beaches near the temple.

Jagannath temple and Mahavinayak temple are some of the majestic temples nearby. Another crucial tourist attraction that everyone must visit is Ratnagiri monastery. The ruined Mahavihara is located at a distance of mere 35 kilometres. Daswasamedhaghat, Trilochaneswar Temple, and Udayagiri ate some other valuable tourist attractions.

Question: Is the temple open all day?

Answer: No The temple is open from 4:00 AM to 01:00 PM and 3:00 PM to 10:00 PM. The following are the timings of arti:

Morning Seva and Aarti -4:00 AM TO 4:30 AM
Midday Seva – 1:00 PM
Afternoon Seva – 3:00 PM
Evening Arati -7:00 PM
Night Seva – 10:00 PM

If the reader has any other questions, they should feel free to ask them here.

The Bottom Line

One can easily wrap up the above discussion by concluding that the Biraja Temple of Jajpur is a must-visit for every Hindu devotee as well as those interested in Hindu iconography. It can also be considered as an essential part of the Hindu pilgrim package centred around the Odhisha triangle.