🛕 Biraja Temple

The Biraja Temple, or Birija Kshetra, or Biraja Mandira, is a historic Hindu temple located in Jajpur, Odisha, India. The present temple was built during the 11th century CE. The principal idol is Devi Durga, who is worshipped as Virajā/Birajā (Girijā), and the temple gave Jajpur the nicknames "Birajā Kṣētra" and "Birajā Pīṭha". The Durga idol has two hands (dwibhuja), spearing the chest of Mahishasura with one hand and pulling his tail with the other. One of her feet is on a lion, and the other is on Mahishasura's chest. Mahishasura is depicted as a water buffalo. The idol's crown features Ganesha, a crescent moon and a lingam. The temple covers a large area, and has several shrines to Shiva and other deities. According to the Skanda Purana it cleanses pilgrims, and it is called the Virajā or the Birajā Kṣētra. Jajpur is believed to have about one crore of Shiva lingams.