When the Common Mom, in her infinite compassion, needs us to reconnect together with her vitality, we begin craving to go to one in every of her nice temples. All plans fall in place … and eventually, once we attain there, the love that we really feel in our hearts merges together with her common coronary heart, and at that second we’re one together with her. So every time we go to a Shaktipeeth, we should perceive that the decision is her command, and our craving is her nice love.
Our historical texts point out 4 Adi Shaktipeeths as Tara Tarini (Stana Khanda), within the Ganjam district of Odisha; Bimala (Pada Khanda) contained in the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri; Kamakhya (Yoni Khanda) in Guwahati; and Dakshina Kalika (Mukha Khanda) in Kolkata. These 4 Adi Shaktipeeths are probably the most highly effective temples (among the many 51) the place totally different components of Maa Sati’s physique are enshrined. Ever since I visited Maa Kamakhya Temple and Kalighat a few 12 months in the past, I’ve been craving to go to Tara Tarini and Maa Bimala Shaktipeeth in Odisha and full the 4 Adi Shaktipeeth Yatra, which, with Maa’s blessings, I used to be lastly capable of do on this month.
Tara Tarini Shaktipeeth
Tara Tarini Shaktipeeth is about 153 km from Bhubaneswar, and from Gopalpur it’s lower than an hour’s drive away. Situated in Ganjam district, the closest railhead is Brahmapur. That is the place the place the breasts of Maa Sati fell and there are two stones representing the dual goddesses – Tara and Tarini. Since time immemorial, the temple has been famend as an especially highly effective shaktipeeth the place the Common Mom is “attentive” to the prayers of her seekers.
Within the days of yore, the temple was held in nice reverence by seafarers from the japanese coast and past, who believed that the goddess gave them safety of their journeys. The shrine was additionally related to the Vajrayana sect of Tantrik Buddhism.
In the present day, being one of many Adi Shaktipeeths, 1000’s of pilgrims throng right here day by day. The temple is located on Kumari Hills and the best choice to achieve is the cable automobile, aptly named Maa Tara Tarini Udan Khatola. Devotees may trek to the highest of the hill climbing a few thousand steps or park their automobiles and board the particular buses offered by the federal government to take them to the temple. I took the cable automobile and for a minimal fare reached the hill-top. The view round was picturesque with the river, Rushikulya, flowing close by.
A big tree dominated the expansive courtyard, simply exterior the primary temple construction, which is a very lovely sight with its intricate carvings and sculptures. The truth is, the entire hill-top advanced has been restored bearing in mind the comfort of the pilgrims.
I used to be joyful to see that there have been many extra individuals exterior the temple than inside, so there was much less crowd to counter. The monks have been type sufficient to allow us to enter the sanctum sanctorum. Close to the ft of the gorgeous essential idol are the 2 sacred stones representing the goddesses Tara and Tarini, and their masks. The divinity of the second made me really feel really grateful and blessed.
The Tuesdays within the Hindu month of Chaitra (March-April) are thought of particularly auspicious, and the Chaitra Mela (Tara Tarini Jatra) is held right here attracting enormous crowds.
I used to be informed by our driver, Ashok, that the forest and hills round have been common amongst village of us who come right here in massive teams on particular events to have fun, and whereas on our approach out from the parking spot, we did see them cooking their feast in massive cauldrons.
Bimala Shaktipeeth
Situated inside the Jagannath Temple advanced is among the foremost temples of Adi Shakti – Bimala Shaktipeeth. Although it is among the smaller shrines inside the advanced, its significance is pre-eminent as an Adi Shaktipeeth, the place the ft (pada) of Maa Sati are believed to have fallen.
It’s important to go to Bimala Shaktipeeth together with the Lakshmi temple within the Jagannath Temple advanced. Completely in distinction to the jostling crowds desirous to have a view of Shree Jagannath, there was hardly any crowd at Bimala Shaktipeeth once we visited. I felt at peace once I had her darshan, and my coronary heart overflowed with gratitude that she had introduced me to all her Adi Shaktipeeths inside a span of 12 months.
There was no prayer on my lips, no ideas in my thoughts, only a coronary heart suffused with nice love and gratitude. And, this I consider has been her best blessing.
Biraja Shaktipeeth
Situated in Jajpur, a distance of lower than 125 km from Bhubaneswar, Biraja Shaktipeeth generally is a day journey from Odisha’s capital metropolis. It is a crucial pilgrimage web site that dates again to the fifth century. That is the place the navel of Maa Sati fell, and he or she is worshipped right here as goddess Biraja / Durga. It’s a massive temple advanced with many shrines and is located close to the Vaitarini river.
Having been warned about not partaking any pandas within the temple, we went straight forward inside. The method to the sanctum sanctorum was darkish, however there was minimal crowd. The gorgeous darkish face of the goddess with a glittering brow was mesmerizing. I needed to remain in her magnetic presence for an extended time however needed to depart as extra individuals began coming in.
The temple advanced has many historical shrines, just like the Bagalamukhi Devi temple as a Dasamahavidya (the ten tantrik types of Shakti), Bhairava and Kali Temple, and 108 Shiva lingas in 2 small halls. The Shiva lingas have been of various styles and sizes and made for a captivating sight. It’s actually believed that the entire space of Jajpur has a couple of crore Shiv lingas. These inquisitive about exploring the realm should go to Trilochaneshwar Temple, Jagannath Temple, Siddheshwar Temple, amongst others.
Essential data:
attain: All of the above Shaktipeeths are nicely linked by highway and practice providers.
Lodging: There are different lodging decisions in Bhubaneswar, Puri and Gopalpur. I used to be staying at Swosti Grand (Bhubaneswar), Satisfaction Ananya Resort (Puri) and Swosti Palm Resort (Gopalpur).
(Sudipta is an vitality healer and mystical storyteller. Her assortment of brief tales ‘Invoking Our Inside Goddess’,’ Mystical Tales Of Sacred Earth’, ‘The Blue God’s Love’ and ‘Enchanted Waters: The Magical Movement Of Life’ can be found worldwide on Amazon Kindle.)
