Samaleswari Temple
Samaleswari Temple is a Hindu temple in Western Orissa, India dedicated to the goddess known as MAA, also known among the natives as samalei maa, meaning Mother Samaleswari, the presiding deity of Sambalpur, is a strong religious force in western part of Orissa and Chhattisgarh state of India.
On the bank of the river Mahanadi the mother goddess Samaleswari is worshipped from ancient times as Jagatjanani, Adishakti, Mahalaxmi and Mahasaraswati. The region in which the temple is situated has a rich cultural heritage. Sambalpur region is popularly known as Hirakhanda from ancient times.
MAA (mother) Samaleswari is the pristine goddess known in the Sambalpur region of India. Sambalpur is the headquarters of Sambalpur District, in the western portion of Orissa state.
She is worshiped with a great care and devotion by the natives in her temple, famously known as the samaleswari temple. Among the varieties of festivals observed before the goddess throughout the year three festivals are observed prominently. The first two are navaratra puja during the months of March and April and during the months of September and October. Among these two navaratra pujas (nine days continuous worship of the goddess) the second one is observed with a great splendour and devotion. The third festival which is said to be the chief festival of the whole western Orissa (sambalpur) region is nuakhai. In this festival the farmers offer the first produce from their lands to the goddess before using it for his personal use.
The plinth is about 16’ high. Above the plinth the building is square. 21’ 7” x 21’7”. The arched roof commences after a height of 18 feet and tapers to the height of 35 feet., where the gradual diminution of the bulk has been abruptly intercepted by a hip knob over which a gold pot and spire are placed. The arch is supported by eight abutments each of which is gradually diminished in size by lateral diminution of an inch on both sides of the successive layers of which it is comprised. The whole arch is an oblong, resembling the cupper half of the eclipse with equal longitudinal furrows and elevation through out the whole surface. Commencing from each corner at the base project four subordinate buildings 11 feet square, they are so situated that the sides of square base of the temple be produced. They will touch two extremities of each of the buildings. Each of them has has a domed roof, supported by six pillars. A hip knob pierced by an iron spike, adorns the top. Between these domes there are flat roofs supported by pillars, thus forming a square verandah on each side of the temple, with four domes at the corners adorned by the steeple which rises above all with gold pot spire glittring in the sunshine.
On the Nothern side the main temple, a 12’6” wide open yard separates the main temple from the 16 pillars audiance Hall. Formerly the steps of the main temple was worards the North, On which the audience hall was build at a latter stage. The main spire of the temple is adorned with eight pseudo temple motifs; the larger ones face towards the four directions and the smaller motifs face towards the four corners. The temple motif facing towards the North has an arched opening which suggests the main entrance of the temple.
The Idol of Shree Shree Samalai Devi consists of a large block of Granite rock with an inverted, trunk like projection at the bottom. A shallow cut on her “Baraha” like face symbolises her mouth. Traditinal Sambalpuri nose ornament of pure gold hangs down from her imaginary nose Beaten gold leave fixed on two disproportionate golden eye like depression on the face acts as substitute for her eyes in an attempt to define the face of the mother deity on a mass of self shaped rock, the devi’s idol inspires sublime sentiments of awe, fear, reverence, devotion, love and affection towards all pervading mother hood.
Akhada Hanuman, Bhairva and Mauli Devi are worshipped in separate temples while Sitala Thakurani is worshipped in “Sangudi” or Mandap Mandir. A large size Bahana Singha Bigraha has been installed in recent years at the core of the temple premises, which is considered to be the biggest astadhatu Bahana Singha Bigraha in Asia. Almost all towns and villages of this region have a temple of Maa Samaleswari. In modern Orissa no single goddess has sway over a large territory after Lord Jagganath. The main temple of Goddess Samaleswari at Sambalpur is the source of inspiration. Several festivals are observed in the temple all through the year with much pomp and ceremony.
1. Jyestha Purnima- Jalasayee of Bhairava baba
2. Sravana Purnima- Srabanbhishek
3. Bhadraba Shukla Panchami- Nuakhai
4. Bhadra Krushna Astami- Ambica Puja
5. Aswin Amabasya- Mahalaya, Dhabalmukhi or Ganga Darshan besha
6. Aswin Shukla Pratipada- Navaratri, Pujarambaha
7. Aswin Purnima- Dhwajarohan and Raj- Rajeswari besha
8. Kartika Amabasya- Shyama Puja
9. Poush Purnima- Poushyabhishek
10. Magha Shukla Panchami- Maha Saraswati Puja
11. Magha Purnami- Purnahuti of 24 Prahari Mahamantra Namyagna
12. Makara Sankranti- Purnahuti of 3 days deepa mahayagna
13. Falguna Purnima- Gundikhia, Dolapurnima
14. Chaitra Shukla Pratipada- Basantika, Navaratri Pujarambha
15. Bishuba Sankranti- Sitala Thakurani Puja
16. Akshya Trutiya- Shree Shree Samaleswari bhajan Samaroha
