Vimala Temple

Overview

Bimala Khanda Shakthi Peeth is one of the imperative Adi Shakthi Peeth as specified in Shiva Purana, Kali Purana and Devi Bhagwath. This is the spot where Devi Sati's feet fell. At the place of worship, Devi is revered as Vimala/Bimala. Master Jagannath, a type of Lord Krishna or Lord Vishnu is considered as Bhairav (Lord Shiva) of Devi Bimala. Bimala Devi is additionally considered as Lakshmi, the consort of Lord Vishnu.

About the Temple

Vimala Temple reveres seven Mother Goddesses that incorporate Brahmi, Maheswari, Andri, Kaumari, Vaishnavi, Varahi and Chamunda. Goddess Vimla is the primary god of this sanctuary. This sanctuary remains as a landmark for the foreordained years when Puri was a bonafide Sakthipitha. Close to this sanctuary there is a holy lake. Every day supplications are led in this sanctuary.

About the Deity

At the passage of the sanctuary is seen a lion riding an elephant implying the triumph of good over abhorrence. The passageway to the sanctum Sanctorum is brightened with Shakthi and Shaivaite pictures alongside pictures of goddess Durga in various structures.

The god Devi Bimala has a rosary in the upper right hand. Her lower right hand is giving gifts or shelter giving stance. Her lower left hand holds a pitcher loaded with amrit (nectar). The divinity is put on a simhasana, a lion position of royalty and has pictures of Chaya and Maya, the female orderlies on either side. The picture is made of lac, a sort of wax. It is additionally said that Adi Sankararcharya set up the Govardhana Matha in Puri with Bimala as its directing divinity in eighth Century. Devi Bimala was introduced even before Lord Jagannath was introduced in the center sanctuary complex

Legend and Stories

Devotees first visit Bimala Shakthi Peeth, and after that visit Lord Jagannath. Anna bhogh offered to Lord Jagannath is purified simply subsequent to offering to goddess Bimala. Psalms from Devi Mahatmya, Debyaparadhakshyamapana strotram by Adi Sankaracharya and Vimalashtakam made by Purushottam Rakshit are droned day by day in the altar. The Tirtha of Bimala Devi from Rohini Kund is viewed as a sacred thirtha.

Festivals

Durga Puja is praised bigly. Merriments for Durga pooja otherwise called Shodasha Puja is praised for sixteen days from Badrapada Krishna ashtami (Sep) to Ashwija Shukla Navami (Sep-Oct) and the tenth day is commended as Vijayadashmi. Amid Navaratri goddess Bimala devi is revered in various structures on every day for nine days. On Vijayadashmi day, the divinity is adored by Gajapathi lord of Puri (relative of the past leaders of Orissa) as the goddess Durga is said to have killed the evil spirit Mahishasura on this day. As the Devi is said to take a fierce structure on Durga Ashtami day, ladies are not permitted inside the sanctuary.

Prasad & offering

Goddess Bimala is offered the leftovers of the nourishment offered to Lord Jagannath in the principle holy place. Vegtarian nourishment offered to Lord Jagannath is offered to goddess Bimala too. Nourishment offered to Lord Jagannath comprises of dried rice (poha), blended with ground coconut, cheddar, curd and spread and is disseminated as Maha Prasad. Among the lovers who get the Maha Prasad incorporate the Shankaracharya of Govardhana Math. The Sankaracharya gets a pot of the Mahaprasad and a plate of Khichidi.

Puranic reference about offering the remainders to goddess Bimala is that once Lord Shiva went to meet Lord Vishnu in Vaikunta. He saw few grains of sustenance fallen on the ground. Ruler Shiva got a grain and gulped it rapidly. In any case, half of the grain had fallen on Lord Shiva's facial hair without his insight. At the point when Lord Shiva entered Kailash, Sage Narada who had come to meet Lord Shiva saw the half grain on Shiva's facial hair and picked it and gulped the half grain. Devi Parvati who saw this through her inner consciousnesses challenged saying that it was her entitlement to eat the remainders. She griped to Lord Vishnu and afterward Lord Vishnu assuaged her by saying that in Kaliyug, she would live as Bimala/Vimala in Puri and would every day get the opportunity to eat the remainders of his nourishment.

Durga Puja, is the main time in a year when separate nourishment is cooked for Bimala Devi. She is offered non veggie lover sustenance as he-goat in the sanctuary premises. Goddess Bimala is inugra form(destructive), amid Durga celebration, in this manner a creature is yielded to pacify her. A creature is yielded amid pre-first light hours before the entryways of Lord Jagannath sanctuary are opened for the morning ceremonies. Fish from the sacred Markanda sanctuary tank is cooked and offered to Bimala Devi as indicated by tantric practices. Vaishnavites are denied passage into Lord Jagannath's sanctuary amid the creature penance custom. The individuals who witness the creature penance are given the Bimala cooking or Bimala Parusa.

Accessibility

Airport

The nearest airport is located at Bhubaneswar. which 56 km away.

Railways

Puri has its own railway station which connects it to cities such as Kolkata, New Delhi, Ahmedabad and Vishakhapatnam while Bhubaneswar (a 1.5 hour drive from Puri) is also connected to most of the major Indian cities.

Road

Mini buses run by the state transport department connect Puri with Bhubaneswar while jeeps are available to and from Konark. There are two bus terminuses within the city at Baramunda and opposite Ashok hotel while private buses are also available at the junction of Grand Road and Hospital Road.

Temple Address