Biraja
बिराज मंदिर
“Sati's navel fell here, on the bank of the Vaitarani at Jajpur.”
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Introduction
he Biraja Temple, or Birija Kshetra (Odia: ବିରଜା ମନ୍ଦିର, Birajā Kṣetra), is a historic Hindu temple located in Jajpur (about 125 kilometres (78 mi) north of Bhubaneswar), Odisha, India. The present temple was built during the 11th century. The principal idol is Devi Durga, who is worshipped as Viraja (Girija), and the temple gave Jajpur the nicknames "Viraja Kshetra" and "Biraja Peetha". The Durga idol has two hands (dwibhuja), spearing the chest of Mahishasura with one hand and pulling his tail with the other. One of her feet is on a lion, and the other is on Mahishasura's chest. Mahishasura is depicted as a water buffalo. The idol's crown features Ganesha, a crescent moon and a lingam. The temple covers a large area, and has several shrines to Shiva and other deities. According to the Skanda Purana it cleanses pilgrims, and it is called the Viraja or the Biraja kshetra. Jajpur is believed to have about one crore of Shiva lingams.
Festivals
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 worshipped daily in accordance with Tantra and Agama traditions as Mahishasuramardini by the Brahmins of Jajpur.
How to reach
The nearest railway station is Cuttack and Jajpur Keonjhar Road. From there regular buses can be availed to Jajpur town. Mostly private buses run regularly in Orissa. Autos connect Cuttack railway station to Badambadi bus stand, which is hardly 3 km away. The bus from Cuttack to Jajapur town takes 2 to 2+1⁄2 hours. From Jajpur road to Jajpur town travelling time by road will be more than one hour. Also buses are available from Bhubaneswar. Buses which have express written on the buses are quicker than local buses.
Located in: Jajpur, Odisha.
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Festivals celebrated here
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Plan your visit
यात्रा योजना
Before you go
Sharadiya Durga Puja (16-day) draws large crowds
The principal festival is the 16-day Sharadiya Durga Puja (Shodasha Dinatmika Puja), featuring the Simhadhwaja chariot procession with its lion flag; it draws large crowds. Navaratri is observed here as Aparajita Puja.
Ritual animal sacrifice during Durga Puja
During the Durga Puja transition from Shukla Ashtami to Navami, the temple performs Bali Daanam, a ritual animal sacrifice.
Sources & attribution
- Wikipedia: Biraja Temple — CC-BY-SA 3.0
- Wikidata: Q4915588 — CC0
This article's initial draft was assembled from the open-source data above. Reviewed editorially before publication.
Services & Support · सेवा
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