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Odisha Part 9 : The Vaital Temple, Bhubaneshwar

The Vaital temple is of the many intriguing temples in Bhubaneshwar. To begin with, the structure itself resembles a South-Indian temple more than the typical Kalingan style that we see everywhere else in Odisha. The temple has been dated to the last quarter of the 8 th century CE. Further , unlike most of the temples in Bhubaneshwar, this temple is not dedicated to Lord Shiva. Inside the sanctum is one of the deities who is very rarely seen in a sanctum – Chamunda, along with the Saptamatrikas. This is evidently a Shakta shrine. However, the presence of Lakulisha on the vimana indicates the connection with the Pasupata sect, which is most prevalent in this region during this time period. Further, the name of the temple – ‘Vaital’, comes from the word ‘ vetala’ , referring to spirits, which were invoked by tantrics to attain siddhis. Thus, this temple is an amalgamation of Pasupata and Shakta philosophy, with a strong emphasis on tantric rituals, and this is reflected in the iconogra...
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Navaratri Experiences-5

Fridays are always auspicious for the Devi, and Fridays during Navaratri are even more special. Normally, when we perform the puja at home, we invite everyone home for Haldi – Kumkum on a Friday, but this year, we were busy visiting others, as we did not have the puja ourselves.


Here is a photograph of the kolu at one of our neighbours’. Samhith went to see it first and told them that they had very few toys, as compared to his grandmother. He also gave them suggestions about what they could do to make it look even better. Of course, his interest in the golu is great, but I don’t know what I am going to do if the chap keeps talking like this!



From Miscellaneous

The decoration in the temple was of CHOTTANIKKARA BHAGAVATHI. The Devi looked beautiful amidst a number of oil lamps, which had been lit to give a wonderful effect.


From Miscellaneous


The Chottanikkara Bhagavathi temple is one of the most important and famous temples of Kerala, and needs no introduction. The Devi here is prayed to as Saraswati in the morning, as Lakshmi at Noon, and as Parvati in the evening. It is believed that goddess Saraswati as Mookambika resides here early in the morning, and hence the first prayer is to Saraswati. Moreover, it is said that the temple to Mookambika at Kollur in Karnataka opens only later in the morning after the prayers here are completed, and she returns to her abode at Kollur.

From Miscellaneous

Well, today, Saturday is going to be a busy day, as I have to visit more people. I hope I shall be able to get more material to write about, especially more photographs…. Until then, Goodbye!!!!
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