Kalijai Temple

The Kalijai, the goddess on the mountain sorrounded by the vast stretch of blue watered Chilika lagoon is a scenic beauty and a holy shrine.the temple of Kalijai stands on a hillock,a little away from Balugaon of Puri district. It was constructed by one of the kings of Banpur after the kingdom shifted to Parikud in a critical period during British regime.

People from time immemorial are worshipping the deity. The faith in general is that she saves the life of the crew on the deck. She is the centre of all hope, assistance and aspiration of the crew on the vast strtch of water where life is helpless. She is the symbol of symphony of life. This maritime expedition is only possible by the grace of the deity.

The Mother Goddess, the Kalijai is the centre of attraction. People in lakhs come to see the holy place of 29 acres of mountain within the Chilika lake. It is a unique spot in the state for tourism. Mother Goddess Kalijai is Kali, the source and the first ‘Mahavidya’ of “Dasmahavidyas”.

The shrine is associated with a story written by Pandit Godabarish, the celebrated poet of the state. Jai, a newly married girl of village Banpur, was on the way to her fatherin-law’s house at Parikud, in a boat in the lake Chilika along with her guardians. Unfortunately the boat was capsized in a storm and Jai found missing amidst all others. The laugh and cry of a girl was often heard from the hill top and few days later, a shrine was erected in commemoration of Jai on the hillock where she was worshipped as goddess Jai or Kali Jai.

Makarmela is celebrated with great pomp in the holy shrine of the Kalijai. This is the only popular festivity here. Lakhs of devotees flock here for celebrating Makar Sankranti. Goats and fowls are sacrificed to the goddess without being killed. The Raja of Parikud worships the Mother Goddess as his saviour. The natural scenery of the Chilika lake attracts many during autumn and winter for picnic. Let the Mother Goddess Kalijai bless us.