Biraja Temple
Temple in India
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Through India, Common Era and Lunar phase
In Tantra
The Brahmayamala Tantra has a hymn, "Ādya Stōtra", dedicated to Shakti. In the hymn, Vimala is the goddess of Puri and Viraja (Girija) is the goddess worshipped in the Utkala kingdom, which became Odisha.
According to the Tantra Cūḍamaṇi, Sati's navel fell in the Utkala kingdom, also known as "Virajā Kṣētra". Adi Shankara, in his Aṣṭadaśa Śakti Pīṭha Stuti describes the goddess as Girija. In Tantra literature, the Ōḍḍiyāna Pīṭha (Devanagari: ओड्डियान पीठ) is located in eastern India near the Baitarani River (an Oddiyana is an ornament worn by a woman around her navel).
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Shri Bagalamukhi Devi
There is a separate shrine for Shri Bagalamukhi Devi, which is right of Maa Biraja. One can find very few temples for this rūpa of Daśamahāvidyā.
Nabhi Gaya
Pitapuram holds the Pada Gaya, the Sira Gaya is found in Bihar, the Nabhi Gaya is found here in the form of a well. Pitri Puja (Pinda Dana, Tarpana, Tithi) are performed here. The temple itself arranges the priests and the pūjā items.
Rituals and festivals
The primary ritual in the temple is Sharadiya Durga Puja, which begins on the night of Krishna Paksha Ashtami. This falls before Mahalaya, and ends on Ashwin Shukla Paksha Navami. The puja, known as Shodasha Dinatatmika Puja, lasts for 16 days. The ratha (chariot festival) is known as Simhadhwaja, and its flag bears a lion. During the lunar transition from Shukla Ashtami to Shukla Navami an animal sacrifice, Bali Dāna, is performed. Navratri is celebrated as Aparajita Puja.
Other festivals include Nakshatra, Shravana, Prathamastami, Maha Bishuba (i.e., Pana) Sankranti, Raja Parva and Navanna. Devi is worshipped daily in accordance with Tantra and Agama traditions as Mahishasuramardini by the Brahmins of Jajpur.
Transportation
The nearest railway station is Cuttack and Jajpur-Keonjhar Road. From there regular buses can be availed to Jajpur town. Mostly private buses run regularly in Odisha. Auto rickshaws connect Cuttack railway station to Cuttack Netaji Bus Terminal, which is hardly 3 km away. The bus from Cuttack to Jajpur town takes 2 to 2+1⁄2 hours. From Jajpur road to Jajpur town travelling time by road will be more than one hour. Also buses are available from Bhubaneswar. Buses which have express written on the buses are quicker than local buses.
Accommodation
A couple of lodges are next to the temple and another is being constructed. Many hotels and lodges also within 2 km-radius.