Manikeswari Temple

About This Place

The Manikeswari Temple, situated in Bhawanipatna, the district headquarters of Kalahandi in Odisha, is a profoundly revered Hindu shrine dedicated to Goddess Manikeswari. She is considered the “Ishta Devi” (presiding deity) of the Naga dynasty kings of Kalahandi and is deeply ingrained in the cultural and spiritual identity of the region. The goddess is believed to be a powerful manifestation of Adi Shakti, the primordial divine feminine energy, and is often seen as a protective earth goddess, safeguarding the land, cattle, and crops.

The temple’s history is steeped in antiquity, with mentions of Manikeswari worship dating back to the 10th century. The present temple structure, a prominent example of the Rekha Deula style of Kalinga architecture, was primarily constructed in 1935 by King Brajamohan Deo, though its foundation was laid earlier. A unique and striking aspect of the deity is that she is often worshipped as a cylindrical structure over which a clay head is fixed and adorned with clothes and ornaments. This head is traditionally replaced annually on the Mulastami day (during Navaratri) in a secret ritual, with the old head immersed in the Purusottam Sagar adjacent to the temple.

The Manikeswari Temple is particularly famous for its annual “Chhatar Jatra” (umbrella procession) during the Dussehra festival (Mahastami), a grand event that attracts lakhs of devotees from across Odisha and neighboring states. During this spirited procession, the ceremonial ‘Chhatar’ (umbrella) of the deity is taken out to Jenakhal on the outskirts of the town and then returns, accompanied by traditional music, dances like Ghumura, and a palpable sense of devotion. While the temple’s rituals, including historical animal sacrifices during festivals, reflect a blend of tribal and non-tribal traditions, the core essence remains the unwavering faith in Maa Manikeswari’s protective and benevolent powers.