Devi puja i.e. Goddess worship is being done for many centuries in India.
During Navaratri, Durga Puja, and Dussehra festivals, many Goddesses are worshipped, especially Devi Durga.
There are Shakti Peethas, where it is believed that the different parts of Devi Sati had fallen. According to the Tantra Chudamani, Sati's navel fell in the Utkala Kingdom.
Maa Biraja Peetha is the Shakti Peetha where the naabhi i.e. the navel portion had fallen. Some Shakti Peethas are present in Odisha.
In his Ashtadasha Shakti Peetha Stuti, AdiShankara describes the goddess as "Girija".
In Tantra literature, the Oddiyana Peetha is located near the Baitarani river. Oddiyana is an ornament worn by a woman around her navel.
Devi Durga is worshipped as Maa Biraja in this Peetha.
Maa Biraja Temple is an ancient temple with a unique Mahishasuramardini i.e. the killer of Mahishasura- idol. The Durga idol has two hands, 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.
The Mahishasura is depicted as a Buffalo, and not as regular human demon. The crown of Maa Biraja has the symbols of Shree Ganesha, crescent moon, and a Shivalinga.
The Biraja Temple is located in Jajpur that is known as the "ancient capital of Orissa" (Odisha). It is about 125 kilometers north of Bhubaneswar, the capital city of Odisha.
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| Courtesy: Wikipedia |
River Baitarani flows beside the Biraja temple. The temple covers a large area and has several shrines dedicated to Shiva and other deities. According to the Utkala Khanda of the Skanda Purana, as this area cleanses pilgrims, it is called the Biraja Kshetra.
The mention of Maa Biraja is also in Brahma Purana, Kapila Samhita and the Mahabharata.
It is said that when cursed Lord Brahma was worshipping, then pleased with his prayers, Maa Biraja appeared. The original temple was built by King Yayati Keshari. However, it was destroyed by invaders. Thereafter, the present temple was built.
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| Entrance- Image Courtesy- Jajpur District Administration |
Maa Biraja is the only Goddess in the world who has Her own Ratha Jatra (Rath Yatra i.e. Chariot Festival) It lasts for 9 days during Durga Puja celebration.
Yes, there is a Ratha Jatra, just like in the ShreeMandira i.e. the Shree Jagannatha Temple, Puri.
The Shree Jagannatha Ratha Jatra is well-known, but many are yet to know of the Ratha Jatra of Maa Biraja.
As per the tradition, the chalanti pratima (idol to represent Maa Biraja) is taken for the Ratha Jatra. Lord Brahma is the sarathi (charioteer) of Her Ratha.
During Ratha Jatra, Maa Biraja is offered Rasagola (Rasgulla) as bhog.
