Biraja Temple - Jajpur

Biraja Temple - Jajpur

No verifiable record is accessible about the immaculate magnificence of the incredible mother goddess Biraja before the extraordinary epic the Mahābhārata was composed. There is a reference to Virajāh-Tīrtha in the Vana Parva of the Mahābhārata in part 85.

Besides the said epic emphasizes that the Virajāh-Tīrtha was a holy spot for Vedic penances where Dharma, the God of Righteousness had played out an extraordinary penance.

During the exhibition of penance Rudra - Siva is said to have been acknowledged as a Āryān God by different Gods and the mother Earth had shown up as raised area. Along these lines, it is nevertheless regular that the goddess Earth was venerated as goddess Biraja of the Virajāh-Tīrtha, Later on.

The Ṛgvedic earth goddess was a vaishnavite god thus became goddess Biraja of the Virajāh-Tīrtha. The Mahābhārata is as old as the seventh sixth century B.C. as controlled by the researchers. The accuracy of goddess Biraja returns to the day's Mother Goddess love of the Atharva Vedic period for example thirteenth century B.C.

She was initially revered as a raised area and later on as Stambhesvari (column Goddess) just like the crude practice when cutting of stone; metal or wooden pictures were yet to come to fruition. Most presumably she was vindhyavāsinī and Biraja as they named her.

During the Gupta rule in India in the fourth century AD, Goddess Biraja was transformed in the theriomorphic structure and a stone picture of two-outfitted Mahisāmardinī was introduced in a sanctuary after an extraordinary Vedic penance next to the waterway Vaitaraṇī.

From that point forward she is being revered on the platform as the image of paramavaiṣnavī Śakti symbol. All the while Nābhigayā, an incredible Pitṛ Tīrtha, Īśānesvara, master Varāha, and numerous auxiliary gods were added to the Biraja custom.

We are informed of her significance from a few copperplate awards of Durjaya, Vigraha, Dutta, and Maṇa a illustrious traditions who disparaged and respected the god.

During the Bhaumakara rule in Odisha she was venerated as the imperial Goddess of the Bhaumakaras. During the Somavansi rule in the tenth - eleventh century AD, a wonderful sanctuary for Goddess Biraja had been worked by Candihār Yayati II. Biraja Kṣetra was made an undeniable Śakti pīṭha with the relationship of Aṣṭa Candī, Aṣṭa-Bhairava, Navadurgā, Sapta Matṛkā, Trayodaśa Rudra, Dvādaśa Gaṇeśa, Sixty eight Tīrthas, and Causaṭhi Yoginī during Bhaumakara and Somavamsi period.

The Somavamsis included a vehicle celebration or Rathayātrā with the Biraja custom like that of the Goddess Vindhyavāsini and Sthambhesvarī of mid-India.

In spite of the fact that during the Mughal Afghan guideline the Śakti adore identifying with Goddess Biraja confronted the high points and low points, the custom proceeds with resolute till today

It is accepted that there was a sanctuary for Goddess worked during the Gupta rule with a Rekha vimāna and level roofed Jagamohan at Jajpur. During the standard of the Somavamsis Candihar Yayati-II had developed a heavenly sanctuary; the said sanctuary had been pulverized during the Afghan success in the year 1568 AD.

In the primary portion of the nineteenth century a zamindar of Jajpur named Sudarśan Mohāpātra had remade and fixed the sanctuary that we found at present. 

The stature of the sanctuary is 70ft with the first padmapīṭha (lotus accelerated pīṭha) and a pīdha Jagamohan on the first level roofed Jagamohan the candīmaṇḍapa has been built before the Jagamohan with the end goal of love and presentation of Devi-mahātmya (śaptaśati candī) the sanctuary dividers bear fragmentary models of various times of history for example from the fourth century AD to the fifteenth century AD.

There are a few sanctuaries inside the complex to be specific Nābhigayā, Jūpesvara, Īśānesvara, Mṛtyunjayesvara, Bhuṣaṇḍesvara, Vagalāmukhī and so forth and an enormous number of Siva lingams protected and adored in isolated holy places too.

The compound divider had been worked by a holy person Bhikari Das not long before one hundred and ten years back.

The compound divider bears a decent number of Bhaumakara models and pictures having a place with eighth - tenth century AD. The lion-door of the compound divider is wonderful and heavenly.

Engravings in the Biraja Temple

Because of repetitive intrusion and obliteration by the maverick's antiquated Biraja or present-day Jajpur was totally annihilated.

Subsequently hardly any engravings are met with to a great extent out of the pile of remains. Anyway five enduring engravings were found in the sanctuary complex of Goddess Biraja.

An engraving is set to the sanctuary having a place with the hour of the Ganga ruler Choḍagangadev (twelfth century AD) the engraving discusses the contribution of lights to the Goddess Biraja during his visit to the Biraja sanctuary.

The subsequent engraving is set to the upper lintel of the lion's Gate of the sanctuary, it has a place with the nineteenth century AD and the content is Odia.

A priest named Bhikari Das had built the compound mass of the sanctuary gathering assets from the liberal open long after the current sanctuary was remade. He had introduced the engraving portraying the occasion with date and year.

The third engraving is discovered recorded under the platform of a "Hero stone" kept before the Jagamohan. The engraving has not yet been deciphered.

A fragmentary little engraving is discovered set to the compound divider to one side of the lion's entryway which has not yet been deciphered. Over two engravings have a place with the eighth - ninth century AD.

Another fragmentary engraving is set to the compound divider inside the sanctuary toward the southwest corner behind the Bhuṣaṇḍesvara sanctuary. It has not yet been deciphered yet has a place with the twelfth - thirteenth century AD.

Biraja Kṣetra or present-day Jajpur is viewed as the integrated social focus of Odisha. Aside from general celebrations associated with different strict beliefs watched all through Odisha. Explicit celebrations are commended in the precients of sanctuary out of appreciation for Goddess Biraja consistently.

 The love of the goddess Biraja in her different appearances include a large group of celebrations and functions which have added to advance the social texture of the district. Śākta-Tantric customs are the essential guideline behind all the celebrations conceding the Brahmanical strategy for revere.

The significant celebrations celebrated in the Biraja sanctuary are listed underneath.

Triveni Amāvāsyā-Triveni Amāvāsyā or the birthday service of goddess Biraja is one of the most significant celebrations saw in the sanctuary. The day comes in the long stretch of Māgha(January-February) on the new – moon day.

By virtue of her birthday she is embellished as Goddess Sāvitri, the associate of Brahama(the maker) with brilliant adornments. She is solely attired in yellow and adored with Gayātri mantra endorsed in the Brahma-Tantra.

Dola Purṇimā - Dola Purṇimā is seen on the full-moon day of the long stretch of fālguna (february-walk) On this event, the delegate god is taken in a Vimana (chariot) to Dolavedi(pedestal)in the sanctuary premises at night after specific ceremonies.

After the necessary ceremonies of love (pūjāniti), the Goddess is sprinkled with fagu or the consecrated red powder.

 At that point the celestial prophet of the Temple opens and discusses the new chronicle for the year. Individuals assemble in huge numbers to see the chancery of Dola yatra and tune in to the solutions of the new chronicle readout.

Vāruṇi Festival - Vāruṇi, a propitious day comes in the long stretch of Caitra(March-April) that pulls in pioneers from all over India for consecrated bathing in the Vaitaraṇī Satabhiśā, the 24th asterism of the heavenly body is also called 'Varuna'.

 In the event that the thirteenth day of the dim fortnight of caitra is conjoined with Varuṇa, The day gets consecrated for a shower in the blessed stream. So the day is designated "Vāruṇi". On this event Goddess Biraja is washed with the sacred water of the Vaitaraṇī and unique love is performed.

 Hindu Vaishnavite travelers originate from alcove and corner of India and abroad to take a blessed dunk in the waterway Vaitaraṇī close Daśāśvamedha Ghāta and offer piṇḍas to their predecessors there and Nābhigayā. They have a heavenly darshan of Goddess Biraja.

Mahāviśuva Samkrānti - On the primary day of the sunlight based month of Vaiśakha (April-May) Mahāviśuva Samkrānti or paṇa Samkrānti is seen in the Biraja sanctuary.

The divinity is superbly dressed, which is designated "Bada Simhāra Veśa" and extraordinary pūjā is performed. Prapānaka or an extraordinary sort of drink is offered and new chronicle or pañjikā is by and by introduced in the sanctuary.

Candana Purṇimā - On the Candan Purṇimā day in the long stretch of may-June, the essence of the god of Goddess Biraja is spread with shoe glue.

 So the day is noteworthy for the explorers. The Candana veśa of the Goddess pulls in individuals' structure far and close to have a Darsan of the extraordinary mother Biraja.

Sāvitri Amāvāsyā - Sāvitri Amāvāsyā is only celebrated on the new-moon day of the long stretch of Jyestha (May-June). On this event there is an incredible surge in the sanctuary premises uniquely wedded ladies come here to revere Goddess Biraja for their solid matrimonial joy.

As Goddess Biraja is viewed as Sāvitri they supplicate her for the long-existence of their spouses. They accompany new-garments and after love breaks their quick taking various types of natural products.

Citālāgi Amāvāsyā - Citālāgi Amāvāsyā is an uncommon event celebrated in the long stretch of Srāvaṇa (July-August).

On this day the citā (a gold adornment for the forehead) is put on the forehead of Goddess Biraja after the due customs citā (an extraordinary and sweet-smelling cake) is offered to the Goddess.

Gahma Purṇimā - Gamha Purṇimā is also called Rākṣi Purṇimā that goes ahead the full moon day of Srāvaṇa (July-August).

On this event, unique pūjā is held of the Goddess and she puts on Gold and silk band named Rākṣi on her left hand.

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