Maa Biraja Devi Temple Jajpur

History and the story of Maa Birja Devi Temple Jajpur

The story and history of Maa Biraja Devi temple begin in the early days of creation. Even from recorded history, references to this ‘Kshetra’ can be found in texts such as The Mahabharata and Brahmanda Purana. Viraja Kshetra (Jajpur) is one of the most ancient pilgrimages in India. Maa Biraja Devi temple is not only a Shakti Peeth, but is also ‘Nabhigaya’, which increases its significance manifold. This is the area where Mata Sati’s Navel part fell when Lord Shiva was performing the Tandava Nritya. This is also one of the places where Lord Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh conducted a Yagna. The story of Daksha Yagna is well known. Unable to bear Lord Shiva being insulted, Sati Mata ended Her life by entering the sacrificial fire. After that Lord Shiva, enraged and grieved, took to the skies with Her half burnt body causing great destruction. Lord Vishnu stopped this with His Sudarshan Chakra. which cut Sati Mata’s body into 51 parts. The spots where Her body parts fell came to be Shakti Peeths. The navel part of Her body fell in what is now known as Jajpur.

The second event that occurred here was the Yagna done by Lord Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. A demon named Gayasura had performed long and severe penances and had been granted boons. One of the boons was that just by touching him, people would go to heaven after dying. This allowed a lot of undeserving people to enter heaven, thereby upsetting the harmony there. The Devas asked Lord Brahma to find a solution. He, along with Lord Shiva and Vishnu asked Gayasura to allow his body to be used for a Yagna and Gayasura agreed. The condition was if Gayasura moved before the seven day Yagna was over, he would have to die. Gayasura lay down on the ground. He was so huge that his head was in Gaya in Bihar, his middle part in Jajpur and feet in Pithapuram in Andhra Pradesh. Gayasura was tricked into moving on the sixth day. Before dying Gayasura asked for one more boon, which the Gods happily granted. He asked that the three places of his head, middle and feet become pilgrimages where devotees could make offerings to their departed ancestors. The three places are now known as Shirogaya, Nabhigaya and Padgaya and are the most important places for Shraddh ceremonies like Pind Daan and Tarpan.

Over the centuries Jajpur, then known as Viraja Kshetra flourished as a pilgrimage. Archeological evidence confirms a temple was built in the first or second century CE during the Gupta period. Later a temple was built in the 13th century CE. At this time the temple complex had several other shrines dedicated to various deities. In 1569 the temple complex was destroyed by invaders. It lay in ruins for a long time until it was rebuilt by a wealthy Zamindar (Land Owner) in about 1840. That is the temple we see today. The idol of the Devi in the sanctum shows Her standing on Mahishasura. The crown of Maa Biraja has engravings of Lord Ganesh, a Shivling and a crescent moon. On one side of the sanctum is a shrine for Bagalamukhi Devi,  one of the ‘Dasa Mahavidyas’. The triangular complex has a Shivling enshrined in each of the three corners. The main festival celebrated here is the Shardiya Navratri and is known as Aparajita Puja, which goes on for 16 days.

Importance of Maa Biraja Devi Temple Jajpur

Maa Biraja Devi temple is a Shakti Peeth and ‘Nabhi Gaya’, one of the three most important sites for ancestor offerings. The Skanda Purana says Maa Biraja cleanses devotees who worship here. This is one of the few temples where Devi Bagalamukhi has been enshrined. This ‘Roop’ of the Dasa Mahavidya is rarely seen in temples.

Best time to visit Maa Biraja Devi Temple Jajpur

Jajpur can be visited all through the year.

How to reach Jajpur

The nearest railway station is Jajpur Keonjhar railway station which is about 30 km from the temple.

The nearest airport is Bhubaneswar Airport and is about 103 km from the temple.

Puja in Maa Biraja Devi Temple Jajpur

Pandit Ji in Maa Biraja Devi Temple Jajpur

Accomodation in Maa Biraja Devi Temple Jajpur

Nearest Accommodation By YatraDham.Org :

• Puri – Shri Chaitanya Gaudiya Math
• Puri – Golak Dham Bhakta Nivas – Shri Gopinath Gaudiya Math
• Puri – Shri Purushottam Vatika

Nearby Attractions

• Udaygiri,
• Jagannath Puri Temple
• Konark Sun Temple
• Ratnagiri and Lalitgiri.

Temple Location