>Pratap555 at 18:23, 5 May 2021

2021-05-05T18:23:53Z

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{{no footnotes|date=July 2014}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2013}}
{{Infobox Mandir
|name = Biraja Temple
|image = Biraja Temple, Jajpur, Odisha, India, 13th century.jpg
|caption =
|map_type = Odisha
|coordinates = {{coord|20|50|1.55|N|86|20|17.32|E|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
|coordinates_footnotes=
|map_caption = Odisha
|map_size = 250
|other_names =

|sanskrit_translit =

|script_name = 
|script = 
|country = [[India]]
|state = [[Odisha]]
|district = [[Jajpur]]
|locale =
|elevation_m =
|elevation_footnotes =
|deity =
|festivals =
|temple_quantity =
|monument_quantity =
|inscriptions =
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|temple_board =
}}

The '''Biraja Temple''', or ''Birija Kshetra'' ([[Odia language|Odia]]:ବିରଜା ମନ୍ଦିର), is a historic [[Hindu temple]] located in [[Jajpur]] (about {{convert|125|km}} north of [[Bhubaneswar]]), [[Odisha]], India. The present temple was built during the 13th century. The principal [[cult image|idol]] is [[Devi Durga]], who is worshiped as Viraja (Girija), and the temple gave Jajpur the nicknames "Viraja Kshetra" and "Biraja Peetha". The [[Durga]] idol has two hands (''dwibhuja''), spearing the chest of [[Mahishasura]] with one hand and pulling his tail with the other. One of her feet is on a lion, and the other is on Mahishasura's chest. Mahishasura is depicted as a [[water buffalo]]. The idol's crown features [[Ganesha]], a [[Lunar phase|crescent moon]] and a [[lingam]]. The temple covers a large area, and has several shrines to [[Shiva]] and other deities. According to the ''[[Skanda Purana]]'' it cleanses [[pilgrims]], and it is called the ''Viraja'' or the ''Biraja kshetra''. Jajpur is believed to have about one [[crore]] of [[Shiva lingam]]s.

=={{anchor|Viraja Temple in Tantra}}In Tantra==
[[Image:VIRAJAA.jpg|thumb|200px|left|alt=Goddess spearing an animal|Virajaa devi]]
[[File:Biraja Mandira, Jajapur.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Another view of the temple]]
The ''Brahmayamala Tantra'' has a hymn, "Aadya Stotra", dedicated to [[Shakti]]. In the hymn, [[Vimala Temple|Vimala]] is the goddess of [[Puri]] and Viraja (Girija) is the goddess worshiped in the [[Utkala Kingdom]], which became Odisha.

According to the ''Tantra Chudamani'', Sati's navel fell in the Utkala Kingdom, also known as "Viraja kshetra". [[Adi Shankara]], in his ''Ashtadasha Shakti Peetha Stuti'' describes the goddess as Girija. In [[Tantra]] literature, the Oddiyana Peetha ([[Devnagari]]:ओड़्याण पीठ) is located in eastern India near the [[Vaitarani River]] (an Oddiyana is an ornament worn by a woman around her navel).

=={{anchor|Sree Bagalamukhi Deity}} Sree Bagalamukhi Deity==
There is a separate shrine for Sree Bagalamukhi Devi, which is right of Maa Biraja. One can find very few temples for this Roopa of Dasamahavidya

=={{anchor|Nabi Gaya}} Nabhi Gaya==
Pitapuram holds the Pada Gaya, the Siro Gaya is found in Bihar, the Nabhi Gaya is found here in the form of a well. Pitru Pooja (Pinda Dhaan, Tharpanam, Thithi) are performed here. The temple itself arranges the priests and the pooja items.

=={{anchor|Rituals and Festivals}}Rituals and festivals==
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. During the lunar transition from Shukla Ashtami to Shukla Navami an animal sacrifice, ''Bali Daanam'', is performed. [[Navratri]] is celebrated as ''Aparajita Puja''.

Other festivals include [[Nakshatra]], [[Shravana]], [[Prathamastami]], [[Pana Sankranti]], [[Raja Parva]] and Navanna. Devi is worshiped daily in accordance with [[Tantra]] and [[Āgama (Hinduism)|Agama]] traditions as [[Mahishasuramardini]] by the [[Brahmin]]s of [[Jajpur]].

=={{anchor|Transportation}}Transportation==
The nearest railway station is Cuttack and Jajpur Keonjhar Road. From there regular buses can be availed to Jajpur town. Mostly private buses run regularly in Orissa. Autos connect Cuttack railway station to Barabati bus stand, which is hardly 3 km away. The bus from Cuttack to Jajapur town takes 2 to {{frac|2|1|2}} hours. From Jajpur road to Jajpur town travelling time by road will be more than one hour. Also buses are available from Bhubaneswar. Buses which have express written on the buses are quicker than local buses.

=={{anchor|Accomodation}}Accommodation==
A couple of lodges are next to the temple and another is being constructed.

==See also==
*[[Yajna Varaha Temple]]
*[[Oddiyana]]

==References==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20150801105412/http://myodia.com/category/famous-temples-in-odisha/page/2 More About Temples Jajpur]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20150614140911/http://myodia.com/trilochaneswar-temple-of-jajpur.html Trilochaneswar Temple of Jajpur]
*[http://www.maabiraja.com/ Biraja Temple Official Website]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20101223031411/http://ignca.nic.in/asp/all.asp?projectid=orjjp0590001 Pictures of Biraja Temple]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110621221523/http://ignca.nic.in/asi_reports/orjajpur059.pdf Report on Biraja Temple]
*[http://www.shaktipeethas.org/panchasat/topic191.html 51 Shakti peetha, Viraja among shakti peetha]

==External links==
*[http://www.dattapeetham.com/india/tours/2010/assam-orissa/orissa/orissa-2010.html Yoga Guru's visit to Oddiyana Viraja Temple and Nabhi Gaya Photos]
*[http://sekharnpc-howjyothirlingascanbe14.blogspot.com/2009/09/18-shakti-peeth-ashta-dasha-shakti.html Oddyane Girija Devi]
*[https://www.bkgraphy.co.in Maa Biraja Website Developer & Adviser]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPdbgg_-Z4s Maa Biraja Devi Shakti Peeth Darshan Full Video]

{{Shakti temples in Odisha}}

[[Category:Hindu temples in Jajpur district]]
[[Category:Shakti Peethas]]

Biraja Temple - Revision history

>Pratap555 at 18:23, 5 May 2021