Abodes of Goddess Shakthi • Curated by Padmani
"Odhyane Girija devi"
Situated on the holy banks of the Vaitarani River in Jajpur, Odisha, the Maa Biraja Devi Temple is celebrated as the 11th Ashta Dasa Shakti Peetham (Oddyana Peedam / Nabhi Gaya). Here, Devi Sati's navel (Nabhi) fell upon the sanctified earth.
Maa Biraja is uniquely worshipped as a two-armed (Dwi-bhuja) Mahishasuramardini, spearing the chest of the buffalo demon with her Trishula while holding his tail with her other hand.
The temple is revered as Nabhi Gaya, where devotees from across Bharat perform holy Pinda Dana rituals for the spiritual liberation of their ancestors. The temple complex features an ancient Rath Yatra (Bijoya Ratha) during Durga Puja, unique among Shakti Peethas in India.
According to the Utkala Khanda of Skanda Purana, Lord Brahma performed a great Vedic Yajna on the banks of the Vaitarani River. From the sacrificial altar of the Yajna, Goddess Parvati manifested herself as Adi Shakti Biraja to bless the universe and dispel darkness.