About Biraja Devi Temple, Jajpur
The eleventh peetha of the Ashtadasha and one of the four Adi Shakti Peethas (alongside Kamakhya, Kalighat and Tara Tarini) — Sati's navel fell here — on the Vaitarani river at Jajpur, 90 km north-east of Bhubaneswar. The 13th-century temple is paired with one of India's three primary kshetras for ancestral shraddha rites.
History
Jajpur (also spelled Yajpur) was the early-medieval capital of the Bhauma-Kara dynasty (8th–10th century CE) and was known as Viraja Kshetra long before that, with the Vaitarani river considered the earthly counterpart of the river of the same name in the underworld (Yamaloka). Pilgrims perform ancestral pinda-daan at the Vaitarani ghat — Jajpur is one of the three Pada Gaya kshetras for this rite. The Biraja temple itself is 13th-century Ganga-period; the goddess is depicted as Mahisamardini, two-armed, piercing the buffalo demon's chest with a trishul and pulling its tail with the other hand — distinct from the eight or ten-armed forms common elsewhere. The 11th peetha in the stotram, 'Odyane Girijadevi' (Girija being a synonym for Parvati). Jajpur's status among the four Adi Shakti Peethas (with Kamakhya, Kalighat and Tara Tarini) makes this site a double-honour peetha — both Ashtadasha and Adi.
Best Time to Visit
October to March
Entry fees in your currency
- Pinda-daan rite₹1,500–₹3,000$…
- Sankalpa Puja at Devi shrine₹250–₹1,000$…
- Mahaprasad₹50$…
Live INR rates, refreshed hourly. Confirm at the gate counter — entry fees may have changed since this page was updated.
Entry Fee · Tickets
How much does it cost to visit Biraja Devi Temple, Jajpur?
Free temple entry. Ancestral rites at Vaitarani ghat charged by priest fees.
- Pinda-daan rite2-3 hour rite at Vaitarani ghat₹1,500–₹3,000
- Sankalpa Puja at Devi shrine₹250–₹1,000
- Mahaprasad12 noon to 3 p.m. at the temple kitchen₹50
- Open 5:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Tuesday and Saturday are the goddess's days
- Modest dress; men typically perform pinda-daan in dhoti
- Pitru-Paksha (mid-September to mid-October) is the busiest period
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Travel Tips
- From Bhubaneswar: 2-hour drive (90 km); from Cuttack: 1.5 hours (75 km); closest railhead is Jajpur Keonjhar Road (5 km)
- Pinda-daan at the Vaitarani ghat takes 2–3 hours and requires a registered priest — book at the temple office on arrival
- Combine with Lalitgiri-Ratnagiri-Udayagiri (80 km, the Buddhist diamond triangle of Odisha) for a 2-day Jajpur+Buddhist circuit
- Konark Sun Temple (110 km) and Puri Jagannath (160 km) are natural extensions — Bimala (the Adi Peetha overlap) sits inside the Puri complex
- Avoid Pitru-Paksha (mid-September to mid-October) unless specifically performing shraddha — heaviest crowds of the year
Temples & Heritage Sites
- Vaitarani Ghat — ancestral-rite riverbank, adjoining the temple
- Lalitgiri-Ratnagiri-Udayagiri — Buddhist sites of the 'Diamond Triangle', 80 km
- Bimala (Jagannath Puri) — partner Adi Peetha, 160 km
- Konark Sun Temple — 110 km
How to Reach Biraja Devi Temple, Jajpur
Biraja Devi Temple, Jajpur is located in Odisha, India at coordinates 20.8459°N, 86.3357°E. You can reach Biraja Devi Temple, Jajpur by air (nearest airport in Odisha), train, or road. Use YatraJunction's free fare calculator to compare live train, bus and flight prices, and to build an AI-powered itinerary tailored to your budget and travel dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the best time to visit Biraja Devi Temple, Jajpur?
- The best time to visit Biraja Devi Temple, Jajpur is October to March.
- What are the top travel tips for Biraja Devi Temple, Jajpur?
- From Bhubaneswar: 2-hour drive (90 km); from Cuttack: 1.5 hours (75 km); closest railhead is Jajpur Keonjhar Road (5 km). Pinda-daan at the Vaitarani ghat takes 2–3 hours and requires a registered priest — book at the temple office on arrival. Combine with Lalitgiri-Ratnagiri-Udayagiri (80 km, the Buddhist diamond triangle of Odisha) for a 2-day Jajpur+Buddhist circuit. Konark Sun Temple (110 km) and Puri Jagannath (160 km) are natural extensions — Bimala (the Adi Peetha overlap) sits inside the Puri complex. Avoid Pitru-Paksha (mid-September to mid-October) unless specifically performing shraddha — heaviest crowds of the year.
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