Biraja

Birajā Devī at Jajpur is one of the 51 Śakti Pīṭhas — the place where Satī's navel is said to have fallen. One of the older continuously-worshipped Odia temples; considered holier than Puri by some sectarians. Unique iconography: Birajā holds the head of Mahiṣāsura in her hand while standing on his body — one of the earliest Mahiṣāsura-Mardinī representations. The temple dates from the 13th century CE but the Śākta pīṭha status predates even written history. Jajpur is called Nābhi Gayā —