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Writer's pictureLeena Mohanty

Maa Biraja: Odisha's Eternal Guardian

In a mystical land called Jajpur, nestled beside the sacred river Vaitaraṇi, lies the revered Biraja Kṣhetra, home to the ancient Goddess Biraja. The deity, worshipped as Adishakti—the primal energy—is a blend of might and maternal grace, holding her ground as a cultural, spiritual, and historical cornerstone of Odisha.

Utkale Nabhideshecha viraja kshetra Muchyathe

Daaru Roopi Jagannathaha Bhaktaanaam Abhaya Pradaha


The Maa Birija Temple is one of the 51 renowned Shakti peeth, located in Jajpur around 125 kilometres north of Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India. Here Goddess Durga is worshipped as Girija-Biraja & Lord Shiva as Jagannath. Here Maa Biraja Devi is worshiped in her full form as the cosmic trinity - Trishakti- Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati. There is a separate shrine for Sree Bagalamukhi Devi, which is to the right of Maa Biraja. There are very few temples for this form of Dasamahavidya.

 

The story begins when Brahma did a Yagna and worshipped Yagna Narayana here in Champak Van in the eastern side on the banks of the river Vaitharini. Shakti came in the form of Kumari. Therefore, worshipped in the form of kumari she is decorated in gold especially on Kumara Purnima.  She is Adya or the primary goddess. Shakti took on the fierce form of Biraja, the two-armed demon-slayer. Her iconography is unmatched—trampling a buffalo demon underfoot, piercing it with her trident, and crowned with symbols of cosmic power like the crescent moon and the serpent. At the request of Brahma, she descended to grace the Kshetra with her divine presence, becoming the celestial consort of Shiva. Taking her place at the heart of the triangular Kṣhetra, she unleashed a profound surge of energy. From her mind arose the Nine Durgas, Eight Chaṇḍikas, and Sixty-Four Yoginis, each embodying a unique facet of divine power. Their pervasive influence transformed the land into an extraordinary Shakti Kṣhetra, a sacred epicenter of feminine cosmic energy unlike any other in the realm.


In her early worship, she was revered in the form of an altar, reflecting the primitive practice of using altars or pillars, such as Stambhesvari (Pillar Goddess), before the advent of stone, metal, or wooden idols. She was known as Vindhyavasini and later as Biraja, names reflecting her sacred significance.

 

Biraja’s temple is not just a shrine but the heart of a triangular kshetra guarded by Shiva lingams at its edges. It’s also known as a Pitṛ-Tirtha, where pilgrims from all over India offer pindas (oblations) to their ancestors. This tradition ties back to the tale of the demon Gaya, whose body formed sacred sites across India, with his navel resting at Jajpur.


Within the sacred compound of Goddess Biraja lies a mysterious well, known as Nabhikupa, or Nabhigaya, where ancestral offerings, known as piṇḍas, are offered. This site, renowned as a Pitr-Tirtha, attracts devout Hindus from across India and beyond who seek to honour their ancestors during their pilgrimage. It's significance is deeply rooted in mythological episodes celebrated in ancient Puraṇas.


One such tale is vividly narrated in the Gaya Mahatmya section of the Vayu Puraṇa. Gayasur, son of Tripurasura, was a virtuous demon known for his righteous rule. Through intense penance, he gained dominion over the three worlds and a unique boon: anyone who saw him would be freed from all karmas. While noble, this disrupted the balance of Dharma and Karma, as people lost the incentive to perform good deeds. Concerned, the devas sought help from the Holy Trinity—Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. Disguised as brahmins, the Trinity approached Gayasur, requesting his body as the site for a seven-day uninterrupted yagna. Gayasur agreed, lying still with his head in Gaya (Bihar), torso in Nabhigaya (Odisha), and feet in Pithapuram (Andhra Pradesh). Brahma commenced the sacrifice at Gaya’s navel in Biraja. To ensure his vow remained unbroken, Gayasur relied on a rooster's crow to mark the mornings. On the final day, Shiva, in the form of a rooster, crowed prematurely. Believing the seven days had passed, Gayasur moved, breaking his vow. The Trinity appeared, declaring his punishment—death—but were moved by his humility and righteousness. They offered him a boon, and Gayasur selflessly wished for his name to be remembered alongside the Trinity. He also requested that performing ancestor rites at the three sites linked to his body would grant liberation from rebirth.Honouring his wish, the Trinity sanctified the places: Vishnu became Gadadhar in Gaya, Brahma was worshipped as Girijadevi in Nabhigaya, and Shiva as Kukkuteswar in Pithapuram. Vishnu’s footprint, marking where he subdued Gayasur, remains a sacred relic in Gaya.


Biraja Kshetra became a revered Pitṛ-Tirtha, with Nabhigaya emerging as a spiritual focal point tied to the demon Gaya's navel. The story highlights the unique fusion of Shakta and Vaiṣhṇava traditions, demonstrating a seamless assimilation of diverse faiths into a shared spiritual ethos. Legends also link Biraja Kshetra to Sati’s navel, said to have fallen here during Shiva’s furious taṇḍava.


This dual narrative—of Gaya and Sati—further establishes Jajpur as a melting pot of religious traditions. Lord Vishnu after killing the demon Gayasura , to commemorate the glory of his victory, placed his Sankha (Conch) in Puri, Chakra (Disc) in Bhubaneswar, Gada (Mace) in Jajpur and Padma (Lotus) in Konark and they were known as Sankha Kshetra, Chakra Kshetra, Gada Kshetra and Padma Kshetra respectively .


An intriguing custom at Nabhigaya sets it apart from other Pitṛ-Tirthas. After offering piṇḍas, devotees pray not to Viṣhṇu, as is customary, but to Goddess Biraja, imploring her to accept the offerings on behalf of their ancestors. Pilgrims flock here year-round, with the dark fortnight of Bhadrapada (Pitṛ-pakṣa) in September being the most auspicious period. During this sacred time, countless devotees gather to honour their forebears and seek the blessings of the benevolent Goddess Biraja.


The temple hosts a vibrant calendar of festivals. From Triveni Amavasya marking her birthday to the grand Rathayatra, where her chariot graces the temple grounds for nine days, each event celebrates her various forms and powers. Unique rituals, like offering pindas to ancestors through Biraja instead of Viṣhṇu, highlight the site’s Shakti and Vaishnavite synthesis.




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