Barunei Hill / Temple

Barunei Hill is one of the famous picnic spot in Odisha and this place is also one of the major tourist spot of Odisha. Every year thousands of tourist come here to its beauty. The major attraction of Barunei Hill is Goddess Barunei.Situated at a distance of 20 km from the capital city, Barunei Hills near Khurda provides a different experience to the visitor with its mixture of serene green surroundings, nice stream that flows to form a beautiful pond and the temple.  A beautiful stream flows from the hills which is known as Swarna Ganga, which enhances the beauty of this place. This place is recognised as one of the most significant historic places of Odisha.

The hill is full of medicinal plant species and the pond where the water gets stored has become a favourite spot for the tourists to take bath. The excess water goes down the hill.For the picnickers, Barunei is a fun-filled experience as it offers everything from the trekking on the hills to religious and historic spots nearby.

Famous Barunei Temple

The Barunei Temple is located at about 150 ft high of the Barunei hill which is very near to Khordha of Odisha.Karunei and Barunei were the presiding goddesses of Khurda and guarded the gate of the fort. Beautifully carved from two separated blocks of black granite(Kalamuguni Pathar) – it represents goddess Barunei and Karunei. The height of each of the idols is 18 inches. The lotus seat on the right side, Devi Barunei holds Dambaru in upper left hand and a Trisul in the upper right hand. They look like war goddesses. Khichidi and Pitah are the main items of Bhoga offered to the deities on leaf plates.

and Barunei are two deities of Khurda Bhoi dynasty. Jaya Durga and Kanak Durga worshipped in the residence of the priest are considered to be the substitutes of the presiding deities. During Dusshera these two Durga images were brought to Barunei pitha for worship. After shifting of Bhoi dynasty capital to Puri Jaya Durga and Kanak Durga were also taken and installed there. Karunei and Barunei continued to remain in their original shrine on the foot of the Barunei hill. During Dusshera sarees and mahaprasad of Jagannath temple are sent to Karunei and Barunei. It is said that Gajapati Purusottam Deva after defeating the king of Kanchi had brought Ganesh, Sakhigopal, Karunei and Barunei. Barunei and Karunei regarded as khetreswari of Khurda fort and worshipped by the Paika community. It is mentioned that the muslim invaders undermined the Sakti of Devi by sacrificing a cattle and defeated the Paikas. A description of twin goddesses are found in “Bata Avakasa” a Oriya wo rk of a great medieval poet Balaram Das.

In Kanchi Battle God Jagannath and Balabhadra helped King Purusottam for winning the battle. It is believed that these two sisters were killing the British soldiers with their long sharp swords in disguise. It is also said that the British soldiers cut the thigh of a bullock and mixed the blood with arms and ammunitions. As a results Devi Karunei and Barunei of Khurda fort became powerless and the Britishers defeated the Paikas. Ramchandra Dev- the founder of the Bhoi dynasty constructed the temple for the goddesses. In the temple of Barunaei there is no pedestal.