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| Biraja Temple | |
|---|---|
ମା ବିରଜା ମନ୍ଦିର | |
 Maa Biraja Temple | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Hinduism |
| District | Jajpur |
| Deity | Biraja |
| Festivals | Durga Puja,Ratha Yatra |
| Location | |
| State | Odisha |
| Country | India |
  Odisha | |
| Coordinates | 20°50′1.55″N86°20′17.32″E / 20.8337639°N 86.3381444°E /20.8337639; 86.3381444 |
| Architecture | |
| Style | Kalinga architecture |
| Completed | 13th century |
TheBiraja Temple, orBirija Kshetra (Odia: ବିରଜା ମନ୍ଦିର, Birajā Kṣetra), is a historicHindu temple located inJajpur (about 125 kilometres (78 mi) north ofBhubaneswar),Odisha, India. The present temple was built during the 13th century.[1] The principalidol isDevi Durga, who is worshipped as Viraja (Girija), and the temple gave Jajpur the nicknames "Viraja Kshetra" and "Biraja Peetha". TheDurga idol has two hands (dwibhuja), spearing the chest ofMahishasura 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 awater buffalo. The idol's crown featuresGanesha, acrescent moon and alingam. The temple covers a large area, and has several shrines toShiva and other deities. According to theSkanda Purana it cleansespilgrims, and it is called theViraja or theBiraja kshetra. Jajpur is believed to have about onecrore ofShiva lingams.[2][3]
TheBrahmayamala Tantra has a hymn, "Aadya Stotra", dedicated toShakti. In the hymn,Vimala is the goddess ofPuri and Viraja (Girija) is the goddess worshipped in theUtkala Kingdom, which became Odisha.[4]
According to theTantra Chudamani, Sati's navel fell in the Utkala Kingdom, also known as "Viraja kshetra".Adi Shankara, in hisAshtadasha Shakti Peetha Stuti describes the goddess as Girija. InTantra literature, the Oddiyana Peetha (Devnagari:ओड़्याण पीठ) is located in eastern India near theVaitarani River (an Oddiyana is an ornament worn by a woman around her navel).[5]
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There is a separate shrine for Sree Bagalamukhi Devi, which is right of MaaBiraja. One can find very few temples for this Roopa ofDasamahavidya.[6]
Pitapuram holds the Pada Gaya, the Sira Gaya is found in Bihar, 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.[6]
The primary ritual in the temple is SharadiyaDurga Puja, which begins on the night of Krishna Paksha Ashtami. This falls beforeMahalaya, and ends onAshwin Shukla Paksha Navami. Thepuja, known as Shodasha Dinatatmika Puja, lasts for 16 days. Theratha (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 asAparajita Puja.[6]
Other festivals includeNakshatra,Shravana,Prathamastami,Pana Sankranti,Raja Parva and Navanna. Devi is worshipped daily in accordance withTantra andAgama traditions asMahishasuramardini by theBrahmins ofJajpur.[6]
The nearest railway station isCuttack andJajpur Keonjhar Road. From there regular buses can be availed to Jajpur town. Mostly private buses run regularly in Orissa. Autos connect Cuttack railway station toBadambadi bus stand, which is hardly 3 km away. The bus from Cuttack to Jajapur town takes 2 to2+1⁄2 hours. From Jajpur road to Jajpur town travelling time by road will be more than one hour. Also buses are available fromBhubaneswar. Buses which have express written on the buses are quicker than local buses.
A couple of lodges are next to the temple and another is being constructed.many hotels and lodges also within 2 km radius.
