Biraja temple, Girija Kshetra

Odisha, Jajpur, Bhubaneswar

In the city of Jajpur, Odisha, beside the river Vaitaraṇi, stands an ancient temple dedicated to the power of Goddess Shakti. Here, in the Baraja temple, the Devi is depicted as Mahishasuramardhini, the destroyer of the demon Mahisha. No historical data is available regarding the exact origin or age of the temple. The temple is described in the Vanaparva of Mahabharatha. She was initially worshipped as an altar, later as a pillar, and it was in Gupta period in the 4th century that her idol was created. The original temple is believed to have been destroyed and later renovated during the rule of various dynasties. There are many inscriptions in the temple from 4th to 15th centuries, many of them significant of the Bhaumkara period.

Legend

The legend of the Shakthipeethas is associated with the immolation of Sati devi. When her father Daksha insulted her husband Shiva, Sati jumped into the yagna fire and immolated herself. Shiva, his wrath manifesting as Veerabadhara killed Daksha. The Lord's ire then translated into the celestial dance, the Tandava, and the universe trembled under his feet. Lord Vishnu, with his Sudarshana Chakra cut the corpse of Sati into various bits, to calm the Lord down. The body parts fell at various parts of the sub continent where rose temples dedicated to her divinity. In Jajpur, where the Devi's navel, stands the Biraja temple.The temple is also regarded as the places where the navel of Gayasura fell and thus considered Navigaya.

This temple is part of famous Shaktipeethas.

Architecture

The Durga idol in the Biraja temple, has two hands (dwibhuja), one hand pushing the spear into the chest of Mahishasura and the other pulling his tail. She is on a lion with one of her feet on the chest of the buffalo demon. The temple covers a large area, and has numerous shrines for Shiva and other deities.There are 108 Shivlingams in the temple. The Nabhigaya/Navigaya is the place where rituals to the ancestors are offered and is inside the temple complex. There are various inscriptions in the temple through various eras.The walls of the temple are adorned with beautiful sculptures.