Adi Shakti Peetha Tour Odisha

Adi Shakti Peethas are believed as divine sites of Odisha and rest of the India, where parts of the body of Goddess Sati fell. The Goddess has been worshiped from ages. We as a Hindu believes, she is the source of all power. Shakti as per Hindu mythology is divine feminine creative power. As per Hindu Scripts, The Adi Shakti is based on the death of Goddess Sati by self-emulating at the Puja being performed by her father Daksha Raja. Shiva, out of grief and sorrow carried Sati’s body and roamed around the Universe with it. Seeing this state of Shiva cannot continue for long, Vishnu cuts Sati body into 52 pieces with his Sudarshan Chakra, The body parts fell on Earth and became sacred sites where all the people can pay homage to the Goddess. The Goddess Shakti is the Goddess of earth: is said to be the complete incarnation of the Adi Shakti. 

In Odisha we have: 

3 main Adi Shakti Pheeta are: 

1. Vimala Temple Puri 

2. Biraja Temple Jajpur Town

3. Tara Tarini Temple Ganjam

12 Shakti Peetha of Odisha are:

1. Bhagabati in Banapur 

2. Charchika in Banki 

3. Katakachandi in Cuttack 

4. Ramachandi in Konark 

5. Mangala in Kakatpur 

6. Hingula in Talcher 

7. Samaleshwari in Sambalpur 

8. Vimala in Puri 

9. Gauri in Bhubaneswar 

10. Biraja in Jajpur 

11. Sarala in Jhankata 

12. Bhattarika in Sasanga 

There are 51 or 108 Shakti Peethas by various holy books, of which, between 4 and 18 are named as Maha (major) in medieval Hindu texts. Most of these historic places of Goddess worship are in India, but there are seven in Bangladesh, three in Pakistan, two in Nepal and one each in Tibet and Sri Lanka. 

7 Nights & 8 Days Tour Program 

Day 01: Arrival At Bhubaneswar & Sightseeing 

Arrival at Bhubaneswar, meet and greet & transfer to hotel. After refreshment visit Hirapur 64 yogini Temple, Kedar Gouri Temple & Lingaraj Temple. Overnight Stay at Bhubaneswar 

Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha and Temple city of India, over 600 temples in and around the city. Hirapur is a village known for temple of 64 Yoginis, called the Yogini Temple. This Yogini Temple design is Hypaethral because the yogini cult used to worship the five natural elements: air, water, fire, earth and sky. Dating back to the 9th century, this small temple is only the second of its kind in Odisha, and one of only five such temples in India. Its construction is attributed to Queen Hiradevi, the mother of King Subhakar Dev II, of the Bhaumakar dynasty. The yogini cult, in which yoga was practiced along with tantrism, is said to have flourished in India between 8th century AD and 13th century AD. In this, a chakra or wheel with 64 spokes used to be worshipped and Goddess Kali was the presiding deity. They were said to be the reincarnations of Goddess Shakti and represented ultimate feminine power. The temple in Hirapur is a circular structure surrounded by a pond and leafy trees, and is unique for many reasons. It is the only temple to have statues on its outer walls. The nine sandstone statues stand for female figures. Each figure can be seen standing on a human head while holding a weapon in one hand. Their shape and form have led historians to believe that they might represent guardian deities. The main door to the shrine is very small. Inside, built into the circular wall, are 60 niches. All but one niche are home to tiny images of yogini goddesses. 

Kedar Gauri Temple is actually a complex which consists of two separate temples, one is dedicated to Lord Shiva and another is to Goddess Parvati. Legend holds that King Lalatendu Kesari constructed these temples in dedication to two lovers named Kedar and Gauri. 

Lingaraj Temple: One of the oldest Temples of India, it is among the 12 non-jyotrilinga Temples of Lord Shiva. Erected in red sandstone, this temple structures is as classic example of Kalinga Style of Temple Architecture. It is said to be built by king Jajati Keshari of Soma Vansh. 

Day 02: Bhubaneswar–Cuttack Chandi Temple- Badamba Bhattarika Temple- Biraja- Bhubaneswar

After breakfast visit to Maa Cuttack Chandi Temple, Bhattarika Temple at Badamba & Maa Biraja Temple at Jajpur. Overnight Stay at Bhubaneswar 

Maa Katak Chandi: The deity of the ancient city of Cuttack in Odisha is Maa Katak Chandi/ During the Durga Puja festivals, sixteen days rituals are performed in the temple of Mother Katak Chandi. She has four hands, in two hands she holds the Noose and Ankusha, and with the remaining two hands she offers abhaya and varada. She is worshipped daily as Bhubaneswari Mahavidya (the Queen of the Universe) by the Brahmin sevayats since time immoral. 

Bhattarika Temple is located on the Mahanadi River, in Sasanga village in the tehsil Baramba, (formerly Athgarh), Cuttack district, India. It is dedicated to the Hindu Goddess Maa Bhattarika worshipped as a manifestation of Shakti. As per the Puranic tradition, Parashurama, facing certain defeat at the hands of Saharasjuna, prayed to Durga who appeared on this spot to impart her divine power to his aid. The festival Pana Sankranti is celebrated here in April, Akshaya Tritiya in May and Dussehra in October Maa Viraja: 

Devi Durga is worshipped as Viraja (Girija) at Viraja Khetra, Jajpur a new District Head Quarter of Odisha. The idol has two hands, one spearing the chest of Mahishasura and the other pulling his tail. One of her feet while on the chest of the demon, the other one was on HER pet Lion. According to Skandha Purana this khetra believed to have one crore Shiva Lingams and cleanses all the pilgrims. 

Day 03: Bhubaneswar- Bhusandpur Ugratara Temple- Purusottampur Taratarini Temple- Gopalpur 

Morning after breakfast check-out from the hotel & proceed to Gopalpur on the way visiting Ugratara Temeple & Taratarin Temple. Evening free on the pristine Beach of Gopalpur. Overnight Stay at Gopalpur. 

Maa Ugratara Temple is located near village Bhusandpur (largest village among Odisha), Khordha district, Odisha. Maa Ugratara, a form Shakti, was the guardian deity of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty. She was the main custodian of the fort Mulajhargarh near Bhusandpur. She is called MaaUgratara due to her fierce disposition at the same time she adore’s her devotees. The deity is a four armed idol, holding potent weapons in each hand. The temple one of the most revered religious seats of the state and MaaUgratara is specially adored by the fishing community of the nearby villages. 

Maa Tara Tarini: Near river Rushikulya on the Kumari Hills the most famous Shakti peeth Tara Tarini is situated. It is said that when Sati entered into the Yagnyakund after Prajapati dakhya disgraced Lord Shiva, and Lord danced Tandav carrying the body of Mother Sati, a portion of the body came to the Kumari Hills. Gopalpur is a small village on the shores of Bay of Bengal. The village was so named when Lord Krishna’s temple was constructed here in the 18th century. Earlier Gopalpur was mainly a fishing center until the East India Company began rice trade with Burma from this place. Later, a large number of hotels and resorts were set up in Gopalpur realizing its calm and serene surroundings for a perfect holiday. 

Day 04: Gopalpur- Khalikot E Narayani Temple– Banpur Bhagabati Temple- Chilika Lake- Puri 

Morning after breakfast check-out from the hotel & proceed to Puri on the way visiting Narayani Temple, Bhagabati Temple at Banpur & Chilika Lake Asias second largest Brackish Water Lagoon. Boating on the Lake to see Kalijai Temple situated in an Island. Drive to Puri. Check-in to hotel. Rest of the day is free at Blue Flag Beach. Overnight Stay at Puri 

Maa Narayani Temple is dedicated to ten armed goddess Narayani or Parvathi or Durga. It is located on a hill in Narayani village situated near Khalikote, Ganjam District, Odisha, India. The Current temple was renovated by the zamindars of Khalikote in the early 18th century. The original temple existed before 12th Century AD. The temple is known for the scenic beauty of the surrounding countryside’ including Chilika Lake. Till this day animal sacrifice rituals are practiced in the temple. 

Maa Bhagabati Temple situated at Banapur, is one of the most popular sakti pitha of Odisha. The presiding deity of this revered temple is Goddess Burga locally called as Bhagabati – the idol depicts eight armed Goddess and the chopped head of Mahisasura ( demon) Maa Bhagavati is the presiding deity of Banapur. The present temple and the Jagamohana is believed to have been built by the Gajapati Maharaja of Puri. 

Chilika Lake is the Largest Brackish Water Lake of Asia spreading over 1100 sq kms of area. This lake accommodates Migratory Birds during December to April from Siberia, Australia & many more countries of the world. Some of the birds now have made their permanent home at this lake. Wild Asiatic Irrawaddy Dolphins are One of the Major Attractions for the Tourist coming for the Visit to the Lake. 

Puri is One of the Four Dhams of Hindu people & known as Sankha Khetra. the Temple Idols represent all the Three Concepts of Hinduism, Brahma, Vishnu & Shiva, Only Hindu can come to this Place to complete the Pilgrimage in case not able to visit the All Four Dhams in Four Corners of India. Every Year, during June/July the Grand Chariot Festival of the Temple Attracts around One Million People around the World to this place. 

Day 05: Puri Maa Vimala Temple- Konark– Kaktpur Mangala Temple –bhubaneswar  

Morning after breakfast check-out from the hotel & visit Shree Jagannath Temple & Maa Vimala Temple at Puri. Then proceed to Bhubaneswar on the way visit Konark Sun Temple & Maa Mangala Temple at Kakatpur Overnight Stay at Bhubaneswar. 

Maa Bimala: Another important Shakti Peetha is Maa Bimala temple inside the temple premises of Lord Jagannath at Puri, at the south west corner. The temple, though small is constructed in the shape of Lord’s temple.. Maa Vimala is considered to be the Tantric Consort of Lord/ Jagannath. Mahaprasad that are offered to Lord Jagannath first offered to Maa Vimala. It is said that she takes optimum care of all rituals and Prasad that is offered to Lord. Without her approval nothing moves inside the main temple of the Lord. Durga Puja is celebrated for sixteen days at Vimala temple and Mother is adorned with various dresses during the celebrations. 

Konark Sun temple is dedicated to the Hindu sun god Surya, and, conceived as a giant stone chariot with 12 wheels, It was built c. 1250 CE by King Narasimhadeva I ( 1238-1264 CE) of the Eastern Ganga dynasty (8th century CE – 15th century CE). The temple in its present state was declared by UNESCO a World Heritage Site.

Kakatpur Maa Mangala Temple is one of Shakti Peeth is located at Kaktpur Mangala in the Puri District, near river Prachi. Maa Mangala was residing in the river Prachi and manifested herself through a boatman and the temple was built for her worship. Though the temple is around 600 years old, Maa mangala has a very ancient history related to Lord Jagannaths nava kalevar. 

Churasi Varahi Temple: Chaurasi, a small village which is famous for the ancient temple of Varahi. Varahi is the mother Goddess with the face of a boar. It is believed that She holds a fish in one hand and a cup in the other. The deity belongs to the 9th century A.D. She is worshipped accordingly to tantric rites. 

Day 06: Bhubaneswar- Charchika (80kms & 1.5nrs Drive)- Sarala Temple (110kms & 2hrs Drive) 

Morning after breakfast excursion trip to visit Maa Charchika Temple at Banki & Maa Sarala Temple at at Jagatsingpur. Overnight Stay at Bhubaneswar. 

Maa Charchika Temple: One of the oldest Chamunda Devi temples called Charchika temple is located in Cuttack district of Odisha is on e of Shakti Peetha of Odisha. The temple is dedicated to goddess Chamunda who has eight arms for various functions. Chamunda Devi is also known in the public as Charchika Maa. Her general posture is on the human body and the wearing is the garland of human skulls. This is the symbol of her violent nature over the demons. In her various hands, different weapons like Khadga, Katari, Kripan, Trident and also her one hand takes the blood cup with one finger dip in blood. This temple is exactly located on the hillock whose name is Ruchika Parvat. The existing temple was renovated or reconstructed in the beginning of 19th century A.D. 

Maa sarala temple is one the Shakti temple in the district of Jagatsinghpur. Goddess Sarala is also known as Vak Devi. It is one of the eight most famous Shakta shrines of Odisha. The main idol, carved out of stone is eight-armed keeping her right feet on the lion in Mahinsha Mardini posture. The Goddess otherwise known as Jhankad Vaasini Sarala . Sidheshwar Parida is the follower of maa sarala. After her blessings that Sidheshwar Parida became Sarala Das, the author of the Oriya Mahabharata. 

Day 07: Bhubaneswar

Full day at leisure at Bhubaneswar or visit to local shopping like Textile, Handicraft etc.

Day 07: Bhubaneswar & Departure

Bhubaneswar Departure Transfer. Morning after breakfast check-out from the hotel & transfer to Airport to board the flight for onward destinations. “TOUR END”