JAJAPUR, Odisha

Main Attraction: Biraja Temple / Viraja Kshetra

Biraja Temple or Viraja Kshetra , is one of the ancient Hindu temples located in the Jajpur district of Odisha, India. This present temple was built in 13th century. It is situated in the Jajpur township which is nearly 125 KM north from Bhubaneswar. The main idol is Devi Durga who is worshiped by the name Viraja.The idol is having two hands, in one hand she pierces the chest of Mahishasura with a spear and in other hand she pulls the tail of the Mahishasura. Lion the usual mount of Goddess Durga is not present. 

The Mahishasura is depicted as a Buffalo, not as regular human demon. The crown of Devi has symbol of Ganesha, Crescent moon and a Shivalinga. The temple covers a large area, and it has several Shiva linga and other deities. Jajpur is also known as Viraja Kshetra or Biraja Peetha. According to Skanda Purana, Utkala khanda it washes all rajo guna of pilgrims. So called as Viraja or Biraja kshetra.

Brief History

The history of Jajapur dates back to the prehistoric times. The name Jajapur is itself a testimony to this. Some scholars attribute it to the word Yajnapura , while others opine that the name originally from Jajatipura Sasanas in Jajapur area. Jajati Keshari , the Somavanshi king said to have made Jajatipur as his capital in early 10th century and renamed the city as Jajapura. It is said that king Jajati had performed a great yajna called Dasaswamedha at this place. 

For this he brought about 10,000 Brahmins from North India and made them settled in various localities later on. Preceding this event, Jajapur find mention in ancient Indian mythology texts and the Puranic literatures alike where it is referred to as Viraja and Baitarani Tirtha, one of the most important Tirthas of India. The place has also find mention in the various holy books like Kapilasamhita, Brahmanda Purana, Vayu Purana, Brahma Purana, Tantrachintamani, Astapithamahatmya and Chaitanya Charitamrita.

The place holds great significance among the Hindus as it is considered to be one of the Sakti Pithas, where the amputaled corpse of Sati, the consort of Shiva, fell having been chopped off by Lord Vishnu. Thus Jajapur is referred to as Parvati Tirtha sometimes. Jajapur has also been mentioned in the Mahabharata where it is stated that the Pandav brothers had taken holy dip along with the great saint Lomash at the Viraja Kshetra in the banks of river Baitarani. Historical anecdotes about the place can however be found only after 7th century AD with rise of the Bhaumakaras who ruled over Odisha with Guheswar Patak near Viraja as their capital.

Jajapur was a breeding ground for Buddhism and Jainism. In the travelogue of the Chinese traveler Hiuen Tsang, it is found that in 639 AD about the existence of Puspagiri Vihar in the precincts of Jajapur. Tantrayan sprang upon the decadence of Buddhism towards the 8th century. The Kubija Tantra describes Viraja as the Maheswari of Uddiyan.

A great revival of Brahmanism in India and Odisha happened with the emergence of the imperial Guptas. Royal houses encouraged Brahmanism by getting Brahmins en masse from Banaras and other north Indian township and making them settled in their provinces. Accordingly kings were known to perform Yajna to preserve their strength and reputation. In all probability Jajati Keshari also performed the Dasaswamedha yajna under the Brahmanical on the banks of the Baitarani River. It has been said that he had also performed a series of different Yajnas on the banks of the river. 

The image of Goddess Viraja Devi might have been installed in 4th and 5th centuries to revive the Brahmanical faith in northern India. Iconographic features of Goddess Viraja support such a conclusion. She is in a form of two handed Durga engaged in fighting with demon. She holds a sula (dagger) on her right hand which pierces the body of the buffalo and with her left hand she holds the tail of the buffalo. Lion, the usual mount of Goddess Durga is not present.

Virajakshetra is triangular by nature as in each corner a Shiva temple is found at equal distance. The worship deties are known as Bileswar, Khiltateswar and Baruneswar. The first two temples have received land grants from king Anangabhima deva, as is evident from Madalapanji. Beautiful ancient Buddhist and Jaina Images are found in the architectural programme of the temples. The Brahma Purana says that there were one less to one crore Sivalingas in the Jajapur area which indicates the religious importance of the place.

King Anangabhima deva of Ganga dynasty had built a Jagannath temple at Jajapur in imitation of the Jagannath temple of Puri, which was known to have been destroyed by the Muslim invaders. Near Dasaswamedha Ghat, the images of Sapta Matruka viz. Chamunda, Varahi, Indrani, Vaisnavi, Sivaduti, Kaumari and Maheswari are found, seated on a lotus pedestal with their respective mounts.

Much of the architectural pomp of the place was destroyed in later periods as Jajapur was subject to constant attacks by the Muslim invaders, it has witnessed many politically significant battles. One of the battles that changed the course of Odisha history by transferring power to the Afghans was fought at Gohira Tikiri near Jajapur.

This place has also of unique importance in India as Navigaya Kshetra where Pinda is offered for the salvation of the ancestors.

Jajapur otherwise, known as Baitarani Tirtha which is highly acclaimed in many scriptures of our country. The shrines of Sweta Varah ( The white Bear incarnate of Lord Vishnu) and Saptamatruka (The seven mother) along with many other numerous shrines have made Jajapur a Tirtha .

Few people of Jajapur know that the writer of the national song Bankim Chandra Chatterjee was working as a Deputy Magistrate from 1882 to 1884 in Jajapur when Odisha was under the Bengal province. The noted writer savoured the tranquility of the river side in his official residence at Jajapur and penned the famous novel Devi Chaudharani based on a real story which was published in 1884. The climate of the district is characterized by hot summer, high humidity nearly all the year round and invariably a good seasonal rainfall.