View source for Biraja Temple

{{Short description|Temple in India}}
{{no footnotes|date=July 2014}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox Mandir
|name                 = Biraja Temple
|image                = Biraja Temple, Jajpur, Odisha, India, 13th century.jpg
|caption              =Maa Biraja Temple
|map_type          = Odisha
|coordinates          = {{coord|20|50|1.55|N|86|20|17.32|E|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
|coordinates_footnotes=
|map_caption          = Odisha
|map_size             = 250
|sanskrit_translit    =

|script_name          = <!--Enter name of local script used-->
|script               = <!--Enter the template name in the local script used -->
|country              = [[India]]
|state                = [[Odisha]]
|district             = [[Jajpur]]
|locale               =
|elevation_m          =
|elevation_footnotes  =
|deity        =[[Biraja]]
|festivals  =[[Durga Puja]],[[Ratha Yatra]]
|temple_quantity      =
|monument_quantity    =
|inscriptions         =
|year_completed       =13th century
|creator              =
|temple_board         =
|native_name=ମା ବିରଜା ମନ୍ଦିର|architecture_style=[[Kalinga architecture]]}}

The '''Biraja Temple''', or ''Birija Kshetra''  ([[Odia language|Odia]]:ବିରଜା ମନ୍ଦିର, Birajā Kṣetra), is a historic [[Hindu temple]] located in [[Jajpur]] (about {{convert|125|km}} north of [[Bhubaneswar]]), [[Odisha]], India. The present temple was built during the 13th century.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chavan |first=Akshay |date=2023-09-26 |title=Biraja Temple - In the Heart of the Biraja Kshetra |url=https://www.peepultree.world/livehistoryindia/story/places/biraja-temple-in-the-heart-of-the-biraja-kshetra |access-date=2025-03-13 |website=PeepulTree |language=en}}</ref> The principal [[cult image|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 [[Lunar phase|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 lingam]]s.<ref>{{Cite web |title=18 Maha Shakthi Peeths |url=https://www.speakingtree.in/allslides/18-maha-shakthi-peeths |access-date=2025-03-13 |website=www.speakingtree.in}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Shankar |first=Ravi |date=2021-10-03 |title=Motherlodes of Power: The story of India's 'Shakti Peethas' |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/magazine/2021/Sep/26/motherlodesof-power-2362905.html |access-date=2025-03-13 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>

=={{anchor|Viraja Temple in Tantra}}In Tantra==
[[File:Maa Biraja Jajpur.jpg|alt=Goddess spearing an animal|left|thumb|200x200px|Maa Biraja Jajpur]]
[[File:Biraja Mandira, Jajapur.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Another view of the temple]]
The ''Brahmayamala Tantra'' has a hymn, "Aadya Stotra", dedicated to [[Shakti]]. In the hymn, [[Vimala Temple|Vimala]] is the goddess of [[Puri]] and Viraja (Girija) is the goddess worshipped in the [[Utkala Kingdom]], which became Odisha.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2025-03-10 |title=Shakti Peeth Biraja Mandir, Jajpur, Odisha |url=https://hindupost.in/dharma-religion/shakti-peeth-biraja-mandir-jajpur-odisha/# |access-date=2025-03-13 |website=hindupost.in |language=en-US}}</ref>

According to the ''Tantra Chudamani'', Sati's navel fell in the Utkala Kingdom, also known as "Viraja kshetra". [[Adi Shankara]], in his ''Ashtadasha Shakti Peetha Stuti'' describes the goddess as Girija. In [[Tantra]] literature, the Oddiyana Peetha ([[Devnagari]]:ओड़्याण पीठ) is located in eastern India near the [[Vaitarani River]] (an Oddiyana is an ornament worn by a woman around her navel).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chavan |first=Akshay |date=2023-09-26 |title=Biraja Temple - In the Heart of the Biraja Kshetra |url=https://www.peepultree.world/livehistoryindia/story/places/biraja-temple-in-the-heart-of-the-biraja-kshetra |access-date=2025-03-13 |website=PeepulTree |language=en}}</ref>

=={{anchor|Sree Bagalamukhi Deity}} Sree Bagalamukhi Deity==
[[File:Front view from left side of Viraja(also named as Biraja) Temple as per list of State Protected Monuments in Odisha. Serial Number S-OR-105.jpg|thumb|Front view from left side of Viraja(also named as Biraja) Temple]]
There is a separate shrine for Sree Bagalamukhi Devi, which is right of Maa [[Durga|Biraja]]. One can find very few temples for this Roopa of [[Mahavidya|Dasamahavidya.]]<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2025-03-10 |title=Shakti Peeth Biraja Mandir, Jajpur, Odisha |url=https://hindupost.in/dharma-religion/shakti-peeth-biraja-mandir-jajpur-odisha/# |access-date=2025-03-13 |website=hindupost.in |language=en-US}}</ref> 

=={{anchor|Nabi Gaya}} Nabhi Gaya==
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.<ref name=":0" />

=={{anchor|Rituals and Festivals}}Rituals and festivals==
[[File:Ratha Jatra of Maa Biraja, Jajpur in 2023 05.jpg|thumb|Ratha Jatra of Maa Biraja, Jajpur ]]
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''.<ref name=":0" />

Other festivals include [[Nakshatra]], [[Shravana]], [[Prathamastami]], [[Pana Sankranti]], [[Raja Parva]] and Navanna. Devi is worshipped daily in accordance with [[Tantra]] and [[Āgama (Hinduism)|Agama]] traditions as [[Mahishasuramardini]] by the [[Brahmin]]s of [[Jajpur]].<ref name=":0" />

=={{anchor|Transportation}}Transportation==
The nearest railway station is [[Cuttack Junction railway station|Cuttack]] and [[Jajpur Keonjhar Road railway station|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 [[Cuttack Netaji Bus Terminal|Badambadi bus stand]], which is hardly 3&nbsp;km away. The bus from Cuttack to Jajapur town takes 2 to {{frac|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.

=={{anchor|Accomodation}}Accommodation==
A couple of lodges are next to the temple and another is being constructed.

==See also==
*[[Yajna Varaha Temple]]
*[[Oddiyana]]

==References==
{{reflist}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20150801105412/http://myodia.com/category/famous-temples-in-odisha/page/2 More About Temples Jajpur]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20150614140911/http://myodia.com/trilochaneswar-temple-of-jajpur.html Trilochaneswar Temple of Jajpur]
*[http://www.maabiraja.com/ Biraja Temple Official Website]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20101223031411/http://ignca.nic.in/asp/all.asp?projectid=orjjp0590001 Pictures of Biraja Temple]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110621221523/http://ignca.nic.in/asi_reports/orjajpur059.pdf Report on Biraja Temple]
*[http://www.shaktipeethas.org/panchasat/topic191.html 51 Shakti peetha, Viraja among shakti peetha] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518105442/http://www.shaktipeethas.org/panchasat/topic191.html |date=18 May 2015 }}

==External links==
*[http://www.dattapeetham.com/india/tours/2010/assam-orissa/orissa/orissa-2010.html Yoga Guru's visit to Oddiyana Viraja Temple and Nabhi Gaya Photos]
*[http://sekharnpc-howjyothirlingascanbe14.blogspot.com/2009/09/18-shakti-peeth-ashta-dasha-shakti.html Oddyane Girija Devi]
*[https://www.bkgraphy.co.in Maa Biraja Website Developer & Adviser]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPdbgg_-Z4s Maa Biraja Devi Shakti Peeth Darshan Full Video]

{{Shakti temples in Odisha}}

[[Category:Hindu temples in Jajpur district]]
[[Category:Shakta pithas]]