Bhattarika Temple – Goddess Bhattarika Temple in Odisha

Bhattarika Temple is located around 105 km from Cuttack in Odisha. The shrine is located on the banks of Mahanadi River. Maa Bhattarika is a manifestation of Mother Goddess Shakti. The temple is famous as a Shakti Sthal.

Legend has it that Goddess Bhattarika appeared to help Parashuram in his battle against Sahasrarjun. 

The most important festivals observed here are Akshaya Tritiya, Pana Sankranti, Dasara and Durga Puja.

It is believed that Parashurama carved the murti of Goddess Bhattarika here using an arrow. It is believed that he did penance here for killing Kshatriyas (known as Bhattas here). As Mother Goddess appeared before Parashurama to offer forgiveness she is known here as Bhattarika. 

The shrine was visited by Sri Rama, Lakshmana and Mata Sita during their exile period in the Ramayana. The shrine was also visited by Sri Krishna and Satyabhama visited the temple. 

It is said that demon Gosimha kidnapped and carried her to this region. Arjuna followed the demon and killed him and saved Satyabhama. Sri Krishna who reached the place realized that Arjuna was successful due to the blessings of Goddess Bhattarika. So he offered prayers at the temple.

The deity in the main shrine is worshipped as Rajarajeswari, Mahamaya, Tripura Sundari, Siddha Bhattarika.

Another name of the deity is Bruhadamba. In the main sanctum sanctorum Devi Bhattarika is seated in Lalitasana holding a lotus in one hand and the other hand in Varada Mudra. It is believed that the Goddess worships Sun God Surya and therefore She is Suryopasana Tatpara. In the Jagamohan of the  temple a murti sun god can be seen. There are eight murtis of Goddess in the sanctum. Five in padmasana posture and three in Lalitasana posure. The eight murtis are named Prabha, Maya, Jaya,

Sukshma, Visuddha, Suprabha and Abhaya.

Cooked fish is offered daily to the deity as She is the family deity of fishermen community. It is said that she provides direction to the fishermen and blesses them with plenty of fish.

The temple is engulfed by water when Mahanadi is in her full spate.

The murti of Maa Bhattarika is then moved to a nearby small cave.

There is a murti of Parashuram in yoga posture in the temple.

There is also an Ashta Lakshmi Temple in the vicinity.