Biraja
Deities

Biraja

Birajā Devī — one of 51 Śakti Pīṭhas

Status · Anusandhāna
Source · Tier 2
Tradition · Hindu
Period · varies by tradition

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 — the "navel" of Gayā — where śrāddha rites performed here free 21 generations of ancestors.

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✦Wisdom Graph: Divine Associations✦

🛕 Principal Temples

🎊 Festivals

  • Kārtika Amāvasyā (Nābhi Gaya Śrāddha)
    Kārttika
    ancestor-rites performed here