Ardhasini Temple

Situated almost on the midway of the grand road, at Balagandi square, there is a small temple dedicated to Goddess Mausima. Mausima temple is located on the right side of the Grand Road leading from the Jagannath temple towards Gundicha temple. She is called Mausima (the mother's sister) of Lord Jagannath. Mausima is a combination of two words, 'Mausi' and 'Ma'. In Oriya language 'Mausi' means 'Aunt' and 'Ma' means 'Goddess'. Mausima temple is facing towards south and closely associated with the Car festival of Lord Jagannath. As per the rituals of Car Festival, on the day of Bahuda Jatra (return car festival day), the chariots of Balabhadra and Subhadra are pulled directly to the Singha Dwara (Lion's Gate of Jagannth Temple), whereas the chariot of Jagannath stops in front of Mausima temple for a while. Here, Lord Jagannth accepts his favorite rice cake known as 'Poda Pitha' from his aunt. Other festivals like Mahasaptami, Mahasaptami, Mahanavami are also observed in Ardhasini temple.