Biraja Temple

Getting there

• By air

  Bhubaneswar, 125 km away, is the nearest airport.

• By train

  Jajpur Keonjhar Road, 31 km away, is the nearest railway station.

• By road

  Buses from Cuttack reach Jajpur town in 2 to 2½ hours.

Why devotees come here

Biraja Temple stands in Jajpur, Odisha, about 125 km north of Bhubaneswar, on the banks of the Baitarani river. The main idol is Devi Durga, worshipped as Biraja and also called Girija. The official website calls it one of the great Shakti Pithas of India.

Legend says Parvati came out of the fire of Brahma's yajna, the sacred fire ritual, and the creator advised that she be named Biraja. Worship at this site has gone on since the 5th century. The present temple was built in the 11th century.

The Tantra Chudamani places Sati's navel in the Utkala Kingdom, and devotees count this temple among the Shakti Pithas. The main idol, Devi Durga, is shown with two hands. One hand spears the chest of Mahishasura.

The temple stands on the banks of the Baitarani river. Its car festival, Rathayatra, is the most important festival of Jajpur. Her birthday, marked as Triveni Amavasya, falls on a new-moon day in Magha, the month of January and February.

Festivals

• New-moon day in Magha (January to February)Triveni Amavasya

  Marks the birthday of Biraja.

• Full-moon day of Phalguna (February to March)Dola Purnima

  Biraja is carried in a chariot to the Dolavedi in the temple premises.

• May to JuneChandan Purnima

  The face of the deity is smeared with sandal paste, and the Chandana vesha draws crowds for darshan.

• Ashvina (September to October)Autumn Durga Puja

  Sixteen days of worship, starting on the 8th dark-fortnight day of Ashvina.

Tips for your visit

• Pitri puja is performed here, and the temple itself arranges the priests and puja items.
• Visitors can stay at the Biraja Panthasala beside the temple, or at the PWD bungalow or circuit house in Jajpur town.

Questions people ask