Maa Biraja Jajpur Shaktipeeth is located in Jajpur, Odisha, India, about 125 kilometres north of Bhubaneswar. Biraja or Viraja Temple is a significant Maha Shaktipeeth. Durga Devi is revered as Girija (Viraja) and Lord Shiva as Jagannath here. Sati’s navel landed here. In his Ashtadasha shakti peetha stuti, Adi Sankara refers to the deity as Girija. Maa Biraja Devi is worshipped as Trishakti Mahakali, Mahalakshmi, and Mahasaraswati in this temple.

The Maa Biraja Temple is spread out over a broad region, with various shrines to Shiva and other deities. It is known as the Viraja or Biraja kshetra in the Skanda Purana and cleanses pilgrims. Jajpur is said to have approximately one crore Shiva lingams.

The story behind Biraja Jajpur Shaktipeeth

The goddess of Dakshayani, Sati, Parvati, or Durga—Hinduism’s most important woman and most powerful deity is referred to as Shakti. Durga Devi, Mahakali, and Gowri are the three main manifestations of Shakti, the power goddess. She is Adi Shakti’s avatar.

Sati was the Prajapati Daksha’s daughter, and she married Lord Shiva despite her father’s wishes. Prajapati Daksha once put together a massive yagya, but he didn’t call his daughter and son-in-law. Sati was very saddened by Her father’s actions. When she got there, her father ignored the Sati and insulted her. She could not bear the insult to his husband (Lord Shiva) and she jumped into the fire of Yagya and committed suicide. She passed away, but her body didn’t burn. Lord Shiva then took his Virabhadra Rupa out of rage. Daksha’s head was cut off by him, but in the end, He forgave him by bringing him back to life.

Lord Shiva, devastated, took Sati’s body and wandered the universe. Finally, Lord Vishnu used His Chakra to break Sati’s body into pieces. Each body part transformed into Shakti Pitha. The temple had emerged where the body part had fallen to the ground. In order to safeguard the Shakti Pitha, Lord Shiva created 51 Bhairava for each one.

The temple’s deity is Adya or the principal goddess; she was born when Lord Bramha performed a yagna in Champak van. Adi Shankara Charya and other literature refer to her as Girija (which means Devi Parvati) or the mountain-born. A Biraja is a person who does not have a Raja or who only possesses a Sattva Guna. She is also known as Vaishnavi, as she was born from the Vishnu Yagna.

The temple’s idol bears two hands, one spearing the demon Mahishasura’s chest and the other gripping the demon’s tail. Her one foot on the demon’s chest, the other on her vahana. As a Shaktipeeth, it is believed that the navel of Devi Sati fell here, also getting it the name Nabhi Peeth.

History of Biraja Jajpur Shaktipeeth

During the Kalinga period, Jajati Keshari, a monarch of the Kesari dynasty, built the Biraja temple in Jajati Nagar (now Jajpur). Maa Biraja, who stands 70 feet above the ground, is reported to have been venerated since the fifth century. The temple bears the name of King Jajati Keshari. According to tradition, the area is also called as ‘Gadakhestra,’ because Bhima’s Gada (mace) was found here. Two lions atop an elephant pose in front of the temple. This demonstrates the superiority of the Keshari dynasty (Symbol of the Lion) over the Gajapati dynasty (Symbol of the Elephant) in Orissa.

The architecture of Biraja Jajpur Shaktipeeth

Biraja Temple: Shakti Peeth Jajpur and its related shrines are situated on the outskirts of a compound wall and cover an area of approximately 250 square metres. The temple has aspects of traditional Kalinga or Odia temple architecture. There are four entrances, one in each of the four cardinal directions. The primary entry is through a stunning gate called Simhadwara, which is flanked by statues of fearsome lions astride elephants. A majestic tower, or deula, crowns the entrance.

Over the Garbagriha is erected a squarish Vimana topped with Amalakha, Kalasha, and a flag. The Vimana has four lions on each of its four corners. The Garbagriha can be reached via a Jagamohana (Hall) linked by an Antarala (connecting corridor). Several sculptures and pictures from earlier periods, including those of the Bhaumakaras and Somvanshis, may be found mounted to the wall that encloses the temple complex, as well as the outer walls of several subsidiary shrines and constructions.

Facts about Biraja Jajpur Shaktipeeth

• Biraja Jajpur Shaktipeeth, or Birija Kshetra, is a historic Hindu temple located in Jajpur (about 125 kilometres (78 mi) north of Bhubaneswar), Odisha, India.
• This present temple was built in the 13th century. It is situated in the Jajpur township which is nearly 125 KM north of Bhubaneswar.
• Jajati Keshari, who was a ruler of the Kesari dynasty, built the Biraja Jajpur Shaktipeeth
• Goddess Biraja, a form of Durga or Parvathi is worshipped at the Jajpur Biraja Kshetra
• The main idol is Devi Durga who is worshipped by the name Viraja. The idol is having two hands, in one hand she pierces the chest of Mahishasura with a spear and in the other hand, she pulls the tail of the Mahishasura.
• The Biraja Jajpur Shaktipeeth finds mention in many Puranas and other ancient Hindu texts
• Besides being a Shakti Peeth, the place is also known as Nabhi Gaya, one of the Tri Gaya Kshetras, along with Gaya in Bihar and Pithapuram in Andhra Pradesh
• The only Rath Yatra for a Devi in Odisha happens at the Birajadevi temple in Jajpur
• The Biraja Jajpur Shaktipeeth temple is located near the banks of the holy Vaitarani river which is mentioned in the Skanda Purana and other Puranas.
• The Biraja Jajpur Shaktipeeth is spread out over a broad region. Inside the temple grounds are 108 Shiva lingas, Chatru Bhairav, Asta Chandika, Bagalamukhi Devi, Mahab, and Lord Rudra.
• According to the Puranas, Jajpur has approximately one crore Shiva Lingam. The district of Jajpur is also known as Viraja Kshetra or Biraja Peetha.

Famous Festivals In Biraja Jajpur Shaktipeeth

• Durga Puja. (Winter) – Devotees celebrate Navaratri at this temple in the month of Ashwin (Sep-Oct).
• Navaratri. (Summer) – They celebrate other Navaratri in the fortnight of the Chaitra (March-April). Every nine days they worship Navadurga (nine Durgas).
• Diwali – Diwali is one of the most admired and auspicious festivals in the town.
• Mahashivratri– A grand fair is organized at the temple during the occasion of Maha Shivratri.
• Rath Yatra At Biraja Temple of Jajpur – Chariot Festival
• The Chariot Of Biraja Devi – Singhadhwaja Ratha is the name of the chariot which is built for the Rath Yatra of Birajadevi in Jajpur, Odisha.

How To reach Biraja Jajpur Shaktipeeth

The Biraja Jajpur Shaktipeeth is locally known as the Birija Kshetra temple. This shaktipeeth temple is located in Jajpur in the Indian State of Odisha

By Air: The nearest airport is Bhubaneswar Airport, which is 103 km away from the temple.

By Railway:  The nearest railway station will be Jajpur Keonjhar railway station, which is 30 km away from the station.

By Roadways: The nearest bus stop is Jajpur Bus Stand, 2 kilometres from the Biraja Devi temple.