Goddess
Goddess Girija devi is the main deity of this temple, who is an incarnation of Goddess Parvathi. Here deity is standing on Lion in one leg and other leg is on Mahishasura chest.
Interesting Facts
- This temple is also called Biraja Devi or Girija Devi temple. It is one of 51 shakthi petas and it is where Sati's navel fell.
- Sati devi's Navel part had fallen here and the temple is also one of the 18 Maha Shakti Peethas.
Best Season To Visit
The best season to visit the temple is Winter season. The best months to visit are September to February.
Weather
Highest - April to June (24°C during day and 20°C during night)Average - May (28°C during the day and 22°C during night)Lowest - December to February (20°C during day and 16°C during night)Monsoon season - August to October
Dress Code
- For men the dress code is Shirt & Trouser, Dhoti or Pyjamas with upper cloth.
- For women the preferred dress code is saree or half-saree with blouse or chudidhar with pyjama and upper cloth.
- Shorts, mini-skirts, middies, sleeveless tops, low-waist jeans and short-length T-shirts are not allowed.
Do's & Dont's
- Do bathe and wear clean clothes before you enter the temple.
- Do respect ancient customs and co-piligrims while at temple.
- Smoking and drinking is prohibited in this temple.
- Chewing betel leaves, tobacco, gutka and spitting inside temple is strictly prohibited.
transport connections
| Name | Distance | Contact Number |
|---|---|---|
 Jajpur Bus Stand |
2.6 KM | 9937878984 |
 Baitarani Railway Station |
26.3 KM | 139 |
 Biju Patnaik International Airport |
103 KM | 0674-2596322 |
Architecture
The temple of Goddess Biraja was the nerve centre which inspired the Bhaumakara and Somavamsi kings to great heights thereby elevating the socio cultural scenario of Odisha. According to the legend, the place is also known as ‘Gadakhestra’, as Bhima’s Gada (mace) was lying in this holy place. In front of the temple stand two lions above elephant. This is indicative of the greatness of Keshari dynasty (Symbol of Lion) than Gajapati dynasty (Symbol of elephant) in Orissa.
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.
Religious Significance
According to Brahmanda Purana, once Brahma (the creator of the Universe) performed a Yajna (great sacrifice) on the river Baitrani. Parvati emerged from the Garhapatya fire as a result of Brahma’s invocation and advised Brahma to name her as Biraja. Brahma prayed to Parvati and asked her to stay at the Kshetra as the divine consort of Siva. Parvati agreed and created Nine Durgas, Sixty Four Yoginis, Eight Chandikas and asked them to remain in the Kshetra permanently. Due to the presence of these deities, this land was well known as Shakti Peetha. At Biraja Temple, Lord Vishnu is in Varaha incarnation.
A great Yagna (sacrificial oblation) was performed over the body of Gayasur, (the great demon devotee of Lord Vishnu) by the Lords Shiva, Brahma and Vishnu to kill the demon. Gayasur’s feet were in Pada Gaya (a place in Pithapuram, Andhra Pradesh), nabhi (Navel) in Biraja Kshetra or today’s Jajpur, known as Nabhi Gaya and head at Shiro Gaya. The exact spot is in a well that lies inside the Biraja temple just close to Maa Biraja.
History
Though she was the presiding deity of the Bhaumakaras, it was under the Somavamsi rule that the temple was built in the 11th Century A.D. Jajati Keshari, a ruler of Kesari dynasty built the Biraja temple in Jajati Nagar (now Jajpur) in 13th century during the Kalinga time. The deity, Maa Biraja which stands 70 ft from the floor is said to be worshipped from 5th Century. The temple is named after the King Jajati Keshari. The temple was desecrated when Odisha fell to the Afghans in the year 1568 A.D. Later on a Zamindar by the name of Sudarshan Mohapatra reconstructed the temple in the first half of 19th Century A.D., which is standing till today. The Biraja temple complex encompasses several other subsidiary temples each having a story weaved around it.
Temple Timings
| Day | Timings |
|---|---|
| All Days | 05:30 AM - 09:30 PM |
Tours
Airports
| Airport Name | Distance |
|---|---|
| Shamshabad | 40 KM |
| Lorem Ipsum | 12 KM |
Railway Stations
| Railway Station Name | Distance |
|---|---|
| Secunderabad | 10 KM |
| Nampally | 12 KM |
| Begumpet | 6 KM |
| Lingampally | 20 KM |
Bus Stations
| Bus Station Name | Distance |
|---|---|
| MGBS | 35 KM |
| CBS | 28 KM |
| kukatpally | 20 KM |
| Lingampally | 30 KM |
| Uppal | 35 KM |
Private Transports
| Transport Name | Distance | Contact Number |
|---|---|---|
| Private Transport | 8 KM | 9546858757 |
| Private Transport1 | 8 KM | 9546858757 |
| Private Transport1 | 8 KM | 9546858757 |
| Private Transport1 | 8 KM | 9546858757 |
| Private Transport1 | 8 KM | 9546858757 |
Local Transports
| Transport Name | Distance | Contact Number |
|---|---|---|
| Local Transport | 5 KM | 9546858757 |
| Local Transport1 | 5 KM | 9546858757 |
| Local Transport1 | 5 KM | 9546858757 |
| Local Transport1 | 5 KM | 9546858757 |
| Local Transport1 | 5 KM | 9546858757 |
Nearest Temples
MAHA VINAYAKA TEMPLE
Wishlist
Map
Maha Vinayaka temple was built in 12th century A.D.
CHHATIA JAGANNATH TEMPLE
Wishlist
Map
This temple was built in Orissan style of architecture
Nearest Attractions
Wildlife
BHITARKANIKA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
Wishlist
Map
This Sanctuary is the 2nd largest Mangrove ecosystems of India
User Reviews
Map
