VARAHI TEMPLE

Jagannth Puri is also famous for its Sakta temples. There are several temples in Puri dedicated to Sakta Goddesses like Ramachandi, Harachandi, DakshinaKali, Shyamakali, etc. There is a temple dedicated to Goddess Varahi at Bali Sahi. Tourists can approach the temple by using the road leading towards Swargadwar from Singhadwar (Lion's Gate) of Lord Jagannath Temple, there is a diversion to Bali Sahi. After enetring this lane you can reach Varahi lane, the temple is situated on the left side of the Varahi lane.

The presiding deity of the temple is Goddess Varahi. The deity is made of black chlorite stone and has four arms. She is holding a bowl in her upper left hand, a fish in upper right hand. The lower left hand holds a child on her lap and the lower right hand is in abhaya mudra. Goddess Varahi is offered non-vegiterian food, particularly fish.

Structure and Architecture

Varahi Temple is facing towards north. The vimana and jagamohana of the temple are square on plan that stands over a platform of 0.26 meters high. Both vimana and jagamohana are panchangabada in elevation.On the basis of iconographic and stylistic features of the presiding Deity, it can be dated to the 13th century A.D. The inner walls of the temple are decorated with various paintings like Vimala, Bagala, Mahalaxmai, Nilasaraswati, Bhubanesweari, Sodasi, Dhumavati, Chhinamasta and Shyamakali. In the eastern wall of the jagamohana there is a small niche that houses Hanuman. In the same wall there is another miniature pidhamundi where an image of Sarbamangala is housed. In the northern wall there are two highly decorated pilasters adorned with Saptamatrika images and two eroded male figures at the base. There are six images on both sides of the entrance of the sanctum. The images are Maa Simhamukhi, Ganga, Varahi, Vyagramukhi, Ganesa and Yamuna.

Festivals and Rituals

As per the local tradition the deity Varahi is one of the guardian deities of Lord Jagannath temple. Festivals like Durga Puja, Navapatrika Puja, Sola Puja, Sitalsasthi etc are observed in this temple with great devotion.