Yajna Varaha Temple, Jajpur

Youtube Link: https://youtu.be/hsQrSXzyOMc

Reference: http://lightuptemples.com/jajpur-yajna-varaha-temple-odisha/

                     https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varahanatha_Temple

     https://www.holydham.com/varahanath-temple/

     https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2021/08/yajna-varaha-temple-jajpur-temple-complex.html

 

Location: “Sri Yajna Varaha Swamy Temple, V85P+86X, Jajpur, Odisha 756120”

 

The Yajna Varaha temple (Varahanatha temple) complex is situated on an island created by two branches of the Vaitarini River. Facing towards the east, the temple is dedicated to Lord Varaha, the boar avatar of Shri Vishnu. The temple is built between 15^th and 16^th century and is constructed in a Kalinga Architectural style.  The icon of Shveta Varaha, the white incarnation of Varaha, is the principal deity of the temple. Built by Gajapati King Prataparudra Deva (1497–1540 CE) under the guidance of Kasi Mishra, Raja Guru of Prataparudra Deva the underwent reconstruction during the Maratha rule under Raghoji I Bhonsle (1739–1755 CE). Along with the central varaha shrines, the temple has subordinate shrines dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu, Vimala and 9 others.

In Varaha temple there is also Samadhi of a bird- A small bird landed on lap of Lord Chaitanya when he came here. Lord was sitting under a Banyan tree. The bird sat on lap and sang some songs and in front of everyone left her body and went directly to the spiritual world. The Banyan tree is still here and in the base of the tree is the Samadhi of the bird.

 

Architecture:

The sanctum sanctorum is Pancharatha on plan and Panchangabada in elevation. Both the vimana and the jagamohana are on a square plan. The interior of the jagamohana and the antarala are decorated with modern paintaings of floral and animal bird motifs. Sculptures of Saivite dvarpala, head of Brahma and Astikajaratkaru (goddess manasa cradles her child astika or a dead man who is revived) can be seen in the walls of the jagamohana.

The icon of Shveta Varaha, the white incarnation of Varaha, is the principal deity of the temple. The Jaganatha idol is made of wood while others are made of stone. The niches in the talajangha of the jagamohana has images of the Buddhist deity Prajnaparamapita, Vishnu, Kalyana Sundara, Narasimha, Ganga, Varaha, Giridhari Govinda, and dancing panels. The brackets supporting the gandi (temple pinnacle) has erotic sculptures of male and female figures and figurines of bharabahaka (goblins supporting the roof) and mother and child. Musicians, devotees and Yamuna are carved on the upara jangha. The pinnacle is Pancharatha containing 5 pagas or segments in nature and decorated with figures of udyotasimha  (lion with lolling tongue) and gajasimhas (the lion riding elephants) , all on the central pagas (raha) except the main paga which bears a Varaha image.

Lord Chaitanya’s first visit to Jajapur on his way to puri

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura in his commentary to Chaitanya bhagavat states that while Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu passed through Bengal, He passed through Atisara-grama, Varaha-grama and Chatrabhoga. He then reached the Orissa province, where He passed through Prayaga-ghata; the Suvarnarekha River; Remuna; Yajapura, where He bathed at the Dasasvamedha-ghata, on the Vaitarani River; Kataka (Cuttak), where the Mahanadi River flows; Bhuvanesvara, where there is a big lake known as Bindu-sarovara; Kamalapura; and Atharanala. In this way, passing through all these and other places, He reached Jagannatha Puri.

Refer to Chaitanya bhagavat antya 2.280 Chapter Two: Description of the Lord's Travel Through Bhuvanesvara and Other Placesto Jagannatha Puri for the entire story

Legend and History

According to a local legend, when the creator-god Brahma was performing Ashvamedha yajna (sacrifice), he realised that the Vedas (scriptures) were stolen. He then requested Vishnu for help to retrieve them. As soon as the yajna was completed, Vishnu emerged from the sacrificial fire in the form of a boar – his avatar Varaha – with the stolen scriptures. From that time onwards, the location of the yajna came to be known as Jajfiapura or Jajpur. In some versions, Brahma completes ten Ashvamedha yajnas, after which Varaha appears. The place is called Gada Kshetra after the gada (mace) used by Varaha.

Few more legends:

1.        Gada Kshetra: The temple is associated with Lord Vishnu’s Gadadhara (Mace) form. It is said that Lord Vishnu placed his mace in Jajpur to commemorate his victory over the demon Gayasura.

2.        Varaha Kshetra: Lord Vishnu is believed to have appeared here in various forms, including Yajna Varaha, Sveta Varaha, Lakshmi Varaha, and Padma Varaha, during different Yugas (eras).

 

The various temples at Yajna Varha Temple are:

1)       Main Varaha Temple

2)       Hara-Gouri Temple

3)       Bimala Temple

4)       Kharakhia Varaha Temple

5)       Muktesvara Temple

6)       Other Shrines which include: a shrine to Surya-god, Kasi Biswanath Temple, Sri Chaitanya Pada Pitha, Sunya Vedi, and temple of the goddess Chamunda.

 

 

Major Festivals at Yajna Varaha Temple:

1)       Chandana Yatra

2)       Sunia

3)       Kartika Purnima

4)       Baula Amavasya

5)       Maha Varuni Yatra

6)       Mahashivaratri

 

How to Reach:

By Road: Nearest Bus Station is Jajpur. Local transports like Autos are available. Self-drive is the best option though

By Train: Jajpur Keonjhar Road

By Air: Bhubaneshwar is the nearest Airport (Around 100 KMs)

 

Parking and Photograph:

There is no restriction whatsoever in photography. Drones can be used from a distance

Parking is not an issue. There is ample space situated outside the temple