Biraja Devi – About Goddess Biraja Devi

Goddess Biraja Devi is a manifestation of Mother Goddess Shakti and is worshipped in this form at the famous Biraja Devi Temple at Devidwar in Jajpur in Orissa. One popular belief is that Goddess Biraja Devi is Mother Goddess Earth. Another belief is that she is Mahishasura Mardini Durga. She is also worshipped as Savitri.

Legend has it that at the present location of Biraja Devi Temple, a yajna was conducted by Dharma, the god of righteousness. Rudra Shiva was worshipped at the yajna and it is believed that Mother Earth appeared at the yajna as the altar. She was called Biraja.

Originally Biraja Devi was worshipped in the form of a Vedic Altar and later on in the form of Stambheswari – in the form a pillar as carved figures were unknown during very ancient times.

It is by 4^th century AD that Goddess Biraja was given a form. The form of the Goddess is similar to two-armed Mahishasura Mardini.

The Vedic origin of the Goddess is still remembered when the Goddess is worshipped as Savitri – consort of Brahma on Magh Amavasya, also known as Triveni Amavasya.