Bhattaarika Temple

Overview

Bhattaarika Temple is found in Sasanga village, Baramba, Athgarh, Cuttack District, India. It is dedicated to the Hindu Goddess Maa Bhattaarika worshipped as a form of Shakti. The temple is situated on the banks of the River Mahanadi. As per tradition, Parashuram, facing certain defeat at the hands of Saharasjuna, prayed to Durga who appeared in this spot to impart her divine power to the aid of Parashuram.

About the Temple

Shakta Pitha Bhattaarika of Badamba, in the district of Cuttack, is one of the notable holy places of Orissa, India. This sacred place is associated with Devi Bhattaarika. The river Mahanadi, the longest river of Orissa, flows in the side of the temple of the Bhattaarika. The river is deep here. The temple of Bhattaarika is located in the foot of the Ratnagiri hill. River Mahanadi, Ratnagiri hill, temple of Bhattaarika, and famous places like Narayana, Nilamadhava, Vindhyavasini, Simhanaath attract thousands of pilgrims, devotees and tourists.

About The Deity

The presiding deity, Devi Bhattaarika is seated in Lalithaasana holding a lotus in one hand and the other hand in Varadamudra (a symbolic gesture). Another image close to her is in Lalithaasana, with four hands holding Pasha, Ankusha, Bow and Arrow which is called Para Bhattaarika.

Legend and Stories

History

The Temple is said to have been built between the 6th century B.C. and the 16th century B.C. and established by Parshuram and also he carved the image of the goddess in the tip of his arrow. Here, Parshuram performed a penance to gain mercy of the deity to kill Bhattas or Kshatriyas. The Goddess became pleased and offered him the boon. According to the Oriya Ramayan, Rama, Lakshmana and Sitha on their way to Panchvati prayed to the Goddess Bhattaarika. The Mankadagadia hill on the other side of Mahanadi where the foot mark of Rama, Lakshmana and Sitha are worshipped is also quite significant.

Legend

In the daily ritual of the deity the worshippers cook fish and offer it to the Goddess Bhattaarika. And hence the temple of Goddess Bhattaarika is considered as the holy temple of Fishermen Community of the region and Goddess Bhattaarika is believed to be the deity of navigation.
There is also a belief that at the time of Bhaumakara rule in the state of Kalinga, the particular place where the Bhattaarika Temple is located was associated with tantric Buddhism.

Festivals

Festivals of Makar Sankranti in the month of January, Pana Sankranti in the month of Chaitra (April), Akshaya Thrutiya in the month of Baisakh (May) and among all other the most celebrated festivals is the Dusshera in the month of October.

Accessibility

Airport

Nearest Airport is in Bhubaneswar Airport

Railways

Nearest Railway Station is in Cuttack Railway station

Road

Bhattaarika is approachable from Cuttack. But first a traveler has to reach Bhattaarika Chhak before approaching Bhattaarika. The distance from Cuttack to Bhattaarika Chhak is 100 kms and that of Bhattaarika Chhak to Bhattaarika is 5 kms. The nearest railway station is also Cuttack. Bhubaneswar is the nearest airport, at a distance of 138 kms, if approached via Cuttack.

Temple Address

Bhattaarika Temple
Sasanga,
Baramba,
Athgarh Cuttack,
Odisha
Pin code -754031