Hingula Temple is dedicated to Mother Goddess Hingula also
known as Hinglaj Mata, or Hingulei or Hingulaksi. The shrine is located at the Gopal
Prasada Gada village in Angul District in Odisha. There is also an equally
important murti (idol) of Lord Jagannath in the temple.
It is believed that Goddess Hingula arrived with King Nala
and King Gajapati at Gopal Prasada Gada – they were on their way to Puri.
Mother Goddess decided to stay at Gopal Prasada Gada.
Goddess Hingula has no other form except fire and she is
linked with the Agni Kona (South East direction). For worship, there are murtis
of Goddess is in various sizes in the shrine. There is also the utsava murti
which is carried around during festivals.
The most important ritual and festival in the shrine is held
on the Bishnu Damank Chaturdashi, which falls on the fourteenth day of the
bright phase on the moon in the month of Chaitra (March – April).
Numerous festivals are organized through the year at the
shrine. Food offering is an important part of the festival and rituals in the
temple. Goddess Hingula mata is associated with cooking.