Maa Biraja Devi Temple – Jaipur (Odisha)
Maa Biraja Devi or Girija Devi Temple is located
in the Jaipur district of Odisha State.
Goddess
Girija Devi is the main deity of this temple, who is an incarnation of Goddess
Parvathi. Here deity is standing on Lion in one leg and the other leg is on Mahishasura’s
chest.
It is one of
the 51 Shakti Peetha temples where Sati Devi Navel is fallen.
It is
referred to as the Viraja or the Biraja kshetra and purifies pilgrims,
according to the Skanda Purana. It is believed that there are one
crore Shiva lingams in Jajpur.
The right of Maa
Biraja is a separate shrine dedicated to Sree Bagalamukhi Devi. There are not
that many temples dedicated to this Roopa of Dasamahavidya.
Pitapuram holds the Pada
Gaya, the Sira Gaya is found in Bihar, and the Nabhi Gaya is found here in the form
of a well. Pitru Pooja (Pinda Daan, Tarpan, Tithi) are performed here. The
temple itself arranges the priests and the pooja items.
This temple was built during the 13th century.
The
Bhaumakara and Somavamsi kings were driven to great heights by the inspiration
they received from the temple of Goddess Biraja, which improved Odisha's
sociocultural landscape. Because Bhima's Gada (mace) was lying in this sacred
location, the location is also known as "Gadakhestra," according to
the legend. Two lions and an elephant are positioned in front of the temple.
This demonstrates how much greater the Keshari dynasty (the lion's symbol) was
in Orissa than the Gajapati dynasty (the elephant's symbol).
According to
Brahmanda Purana, once Brahma (the creator of the Universe) performed a Yajna
(great sacrifice) on the river Baitrani. Parvati emerged from the Garhapatya
fire as a result of Brahma’s invocation and advised Brahma to name her Biraja. Brahma prayed to Parvati and asked her to stay at the Kshetra as the
divine consort of Siva. Parvati agreed and created Nine Durgas, Sixty Four
Yoginis, and Eight Chandikas and asked them to remain in the Kshetra permanently.
Due to the presence of these deities, this land was well known as Shakti
Peetha. At Biraja Temple, Lord Vishnu is in Varaha's incarnation.
A great Yagna (sacrificial oblation) was performed over the body of Gayasur, (the great demon devotee of Lord Vishnu) by the Lords Shiva, Brahma, and Vishnu to kill the demon. Gayasur’s feet were in Pada Gaya (a place inPithapuram, Andhra Pradesh), nabhi (Navel) in Biraja Kshetra or today’s Jajpur, known as Nabhi Gaya, and head at Shiro Gaya. The exact spot is in a well that lies inside the Biraja temple just close to Maa Biraja.
The primary
ritual in the temple is Sharadiya Durga Puja, which begins on the night of
Krishna Paksha Ashtami. This falls before Mahalaya and ends on Ashwin Shukla
Paksha Navami. The puja, known as Shodasha Dinatatmika Puja, lasts for 16 days.
The ratha (chariot festival) is known as Simhadhwaja, and its flag bears a
lion. During the lunar transition from Shukla Ashtami to Shukla Navami an
animal sacrifice, Bali Daanam, is performed. Navratri is celebrated as
Aparajita Puja.
Other festivals include Nakshatra, Shravana, Prathamastami, Pana Sankranti, Raja Parva, and Navanna. Devi is worshiped daily by Tantra and Agama traditions as Mahishasuramardini by the Brahmins of Jajpur.
Timings
6.00 am to 1.00 pm
3.00 pm to 10.00 pm
Nearby Temples
Chandikhol, Maha Vinayaka Temple – 43 km
Chhatia Jagannath Temple – 49 km.
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