Biraja Kshetra
ମା’ ବିରଜା ମନ୍ଦିର
Goddess Biraja (Durga) · Jajpur, Odisha
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About the temple
One of the 18 Maha Shakti Peethas (Nabhi Gaya - Navel Shrine). Performing Pinda Daan here is believed to grant salvation to ancestors.
Temple information
- Darshan timings
- 04:00 – 21:30
- Established
- 13
- Best time to visit
- Early morning for peace; Ashwin month for festivals.
- Entry fee
- Free
Deity
Goddess Biraja (Durga) · ମା’ ବିରଜା
- Deity form
- Two-armed Mahishasuramardini (Trishula-dharini)
- Religious tradition
- Tantric / Vedic fusion
- Sanskrit name
- श्री विरजा मन्दिर
- Also known as
- Biraja Kshetra, Baitarani Tirtha, Gada Kshetra, Nabhi Gaya
Darshan hours
- Daily
- 04:00 - 21:30
- Break timings
- 01:00 PM - 03:00 PM
- Special days
- Open 24 hours during Shodasha Puja (Durga Puja)
- Festival timings
- Extended darshan hours until midnight.
Aarti & rituals
- Morning aarti
- 05:00
- Midday aarti
- 12:30
- Evening aarti
- 18:30
- Night aarti
- 21:00
- Special aarti days
- Tuesdays, Fridays, and Ashtami
- Ritual schedule
- Majana, Alati, Dhupa, and Bali (Symbolic/Actual rituals)
- Pooja timings
- 06:00 AM - 12:30 PM, 04:00 PM - 08:30 PM
- Abhishek timings
- Early morning (Panchamruta Snana)
- Special poojas
- Pinda Daan, Chandi Path, Kumkum Archana
- Online pooja booking
- No
History & heritage
- Historical period
- Ancient
- Built by
- Somavamsi Dynasty (expanded by Ganga Kings)
- Construction materials
- Laterite and Chlorite stone
- Historical events
- Jajpur was the ancient capital of Odisha under the Somavamsis.
- Renovations
- Ongoing heritage restoration under the Jajpur District Administration.
- Archaeological importance
- State Protected Monument
- Legends
- The navel (Nabhi) of Sati fell here; Lord Brahma performed ten Ashwamedha Yajnas.
- Inscriptions
- Mentioned in the Mahabharata and several Puranas.
Architecture
- Architectural style
- Dravidian
- Architectural period
- 13th Century (Reconstruction)
- Structure
- Complex (Main Shrine and several sub-temples)
- Floors
- 50
- Gopuram
- Traditional Kalingan Mastaka with Kalasha and Dhwaja.
- Mandapa
- Pillared Mukhashala and Natamandira.
- Sculptural features
- Rare two-armed Durga icon; crown features Ganesha, Crescent, and Linga.
- Artistic elements
- Intricate chlorite stone carvings on the doorframes.
- Construction technique
- Traditional dry stone masonry.
- Unique features
- Only Shakti temple with its own Rath Yatra (Simhadhwaja Rath).
Festivals & events
Durga Puja (Biraja Rath Yatra)Magha SaptamiTriveni Amavasya
- Festival calendar
- Lunar (Ashwin month for Rath Yatra)
- Special celebration days
- Birthday of Goddess Biraja (Triveni Amavasya)
- Cultural events
- Pala and Odissi performances during festival weeks.
- Annual events
- Biraja Rath Yatra (runs for 9 days)
- Peak crowd season
- October (Durga Puja) and January/February
Visitor information
- ✓ Parking
- ✓ Restrooms
- ✓ Drinking water
- ✓ Shoe keeping
- ✓ Prasadam counter
- ✓ Annadanam
- Entry fee
- Free
- Dress code
- Traditional
- Best time to visit
- Early morning for peace; Ashwin month for festivals.
- Parking capacity
- 150+
- Parking fees
- ₹20 - ₹40
- Donation counters
- Yes
- Donation methods
- Cash/UPI
- Prasadam
- Khechudi, Dal, Sweet Porridge
Gallery
