- Biraja Temple
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Biraja Temple 
Biraja TempleOrissaCoordinates: 20°50′1.55″N 86°20′17.32″E / 20.8337639°N 86.3381444°ECoordinates: 20°50′1.55″N 86°20′17.32″E / 20.8337639°N 86.3381444°E Location Country: India State/province: Orissa District: Jajpur Viraja Temple or Viraja Kshetra ,(Devnagari:विरजा क्षेत्र) or 'Oddyana Peetha, (Devnagari:ओड़्याण पीठ, Oriya:ଓଡ୍ଡ୍ୟାଣ ପୀଠ),(Oriya:ବିରଜା ମନ୍ଦିର) is one of the ancient Hindu temples located in the Jajpur district of Orissa, India. This present temple was built in 13th century. It is situated in the Jajpur township which is nearly 125 KM north from Bhubaneswar. The main idol is Devi Durga who is worshiped by the name Viraja.The idol is having two hands(dwibhuja),in one hand she pierces the chest of Mahishasura with a spear and in other hand she pulls the tail of the Mahishasura.The Durga idol is standing on Lion in one leg and other leg is on Mahishasura chest.The Mahishasura is depicted as a Buffalo, not as regular human demon.The crown of Devi has symbol of Ganesha, Crescent moon and a Shivalinga.The temple covers a large area, and it has several Shiva linga and other deities. Jajpur is also known as Viraja Kshetra or Biraja Peetha.According to Skanda Purana,utkala khanda it washes all rajo guna of pilgrims.So called as Viraja or Biraja kshetra.
Contents
Viraja Temple in Tantra
Virajaa devi
The Brahmayamala Tantra has a hymn Aadya Stotra dedicated to Goddess Shakti.In that hymn it is stated that Vimala is the shakti in Purusottama Kshetra and Viraja is the shakti worshipped in Odra Desha,which is latter known as Orissa.
"रामेश्वरी सेतुबन्धे विमला पुरुषोत्तमे
विरजा ओड्रदेशे च कामाक्ष्या नीलपर्वते ॥" "[आद्या स्तोत्र-ब्रह्म यामल तन्त्रम्]"
It is believed that sati's navel also fell here as Tantra Chudamani says that the navel fell in Utkala which is called Viraja kshetra.Adi Shankara in his Ashtadasha shakti peetha stuti describes this peetha as Oddiyana Peetha and the goddess as Girija.Here is the verse from his Ashtadasha shakti peetham. [1]
"उज्जनिन्यां महाकाली पीठिकायां पुरुहुतिका
ओड़्याणे गिरिजा देवी माणिक्य दक्ष वाटिके॥"
As per many Tantra books the Oddiyana Peetha(Devnagari:ओड़्याण पीठ) is located in eastern India near Vaitarani river.The place siginifies its name.Oddiyana is a ornament worn by women around navel,as the navel fell down here the area surrounding the peetha is called Oddyana Peetha,and the land is known as Odra Desha.
Rituals and Festivals
Main ritual in this temple is Sharadiya Durga Puja which starts from Krishna Paksha Ashtami night which falls before Mahalaya and ends on Ashwin Shukla Paksha Navami. The total Puja continues for 16 days, which is called Shodasha dinatatmika Puja. The Rath Yatra of Devi's utsava murty is done during Mahashtami and Mahanavami. The Ratha(Chariot Festival) is named as Simhadhwaja (having the flag symbol of Lion). During the transition of lunar phase from Shukla Ashtami to Shukla Navami the special animal Sacrifice is performed which is called Bali Daanam. The day of Dussehra is celebrated as Aparajita Puja. Other festivals include Devi's own Nakshatra, Shravana which falls on Amavasya of Purnimanta month of Maagha, Prathamastami, Pana Sankranti, Raja Parva and Navanna.
The daily worship to devi is done as depicted in Tantra and Agama. She is worshipped as Mahishasuramardini by Brahmins of Jajpur.
Nabhi Gaya
It is heard from Puranas that Gaya is having mouth of Gayasura (Shirogaya) & the navel is in Jajpur inside Biraja Temple. Whereas padagaya (legs of gayasura) is in Pithapuram of Andhra Pradesh. God Brahma did 10 Ashwamedha yajna here on the bank of Baitarani Or Vaitarani. It is called as Dakshina(south) Vedi of Brahma. Others being Gaya(east); Kurukshetra, (north); Pushkar, (west) & Prayag Allahbad, (centre) according to Vamana Purana. Many pilgrims gather here for Shraaddha during Mahalaya. A Holy dip commenses in Vaitarani river on the day of Chaitra krishna chaturdasi called as Varuni Snan Yoga. It becomes auspicious if the day is saturday and the star is Shatabhisha. The nearest rail head is Byasanagar or jajpur keonjhar road on chennai-howrah railway.
See also
- Yajna Varaha Temple
- Oddiyana
Reference
External links
Hindu temples in Orissa Ganesh Temples Surya Temples Vishnu Temples Alarnatha Mandira · Anantasaayi Vishnu Temple · Ananta Shayana · Anantashayana, Saranga · Ananta Vasudeva Temple · Baladevjew Temple · Chakra Narasimha Temple · Chhatia Batta · Dharakote Temple · Gundicha Temple · Jagannath Temple, Koraput · Jagannath Temple, Nayagarh · Jagannath Temple, Puri · Kshirachora Gopinatha Temple · Lakhmi Varaha Temple · Madhava Temple · · Narayana Gosain Temple,Singapur · Nilamadhav Temple · Odogaon Raghunath Temple · Patali Srikhetra · Ram Mandir, Janpath · Sakshigopal Temple · Marjara Nrusimha Temple · Yajna Nrisimha Temple · Yajna Varaha TempleShiva Temples Ajaikapada Bhairava Temple · Akhandalmani Temple · Annakoteshvara Temple · Bhuvaneshwar Temple, Boudh · Brahmeswara · Chandaneswar · Chateshwar Temple · Dhabaleswar · Gupteswar Cave · Godhaneswar temple · Indralath Temple · Kapilash Temple · Kedareswar Temple · Kosaleswara Temple · Ladoo Baba Temple · Lingaraj Temple · Lokanatha Temple · Mahendragiri, Orissa · Markandeshwar Temple · Mukteswar Temple · Murga Mahadeva Shrine · Panchalingeshwar · Parsurameswar Temple · Rajarani Temple · Rameshwar Deula · Simhanath Temple · Subarnameru Temple · The Leaning Temple of Huma · Yameshwar TempleShakti Temples Bhadrakali Temple, Aharapada · Bhagabati Temple, Banapur · Bhattarika Temple · Biraja Temple · Charchika Temple · Chausath Jogini Temple · Durga Temple, Baideshwar · Durga Temple, Motia · Ghanteshwari Temple · Kakatpur Mangala Temple · Kalijai · Kanaka Durga, Raulapalli · Katak Chandi Temple · Kichakeshwari Temple · Lankeswari Temple · Maa Tarini · Maa Taratarini Temple · Maa Ugra Tara · Maheshwari Temple · Mahishamardini Temple · Majhighariani Temple · Manikeshwari Temple · Marichi Thakurani · Mausimaa Temple · Metakani Temple · Narayani Temple · Ramachandi Temple · Ranipur-Jharial · Samaleswari Temple · Saptamatruka Temple · Sarala Temple · Siddha Bhairavi · Sureswari temple · Upper Bagh Devi Temple · Vaital Deula · Varahi Deula, ChaurasiOthers Brahma Temple, Bindusagar · Brahma Temple, Niali · Hanuman Vatika · Harihara Deula · Harishankar Temple · Joranda Gadhi · Sasisena TempleCategories:- Hindu temples in Jajpur district
- Shakti Peethas
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