Maa Ambika Temple — Attraction in Baripada

Maa Ambika Mandir situated in central of Baripada of Mayurbhanj district. Baripada, a city, and municipality in Mayurbhanj district of Odisha are strongly associated with the Rath Yatra festival of Hindu religion. As Odisha is a reflection of devotion, there is a set of temples in and around the region that invites people from various parts of the state.

Maa Ambika Temple, situated a kilometer away from Baripada Bus Stand, is the chief temple of the city. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Ambika and enjoys a hilltop location, therefore one can also witness the beauty of the surrounding landscape.

In the temple, Goddess Durga is worshipped in the form of Maa Ambika also known as ‘The Living Goddess. The idol of Maa Ambika in this temple is built from marble stone having four hands (chaturbhuja). In the idol, she can be seen sitting on a lion with holy weapons in her hands. These arms include dambaru, kharpara, khadga, and trisul. Besides Goddess Ambika, the idols of Lord Ganesha, Shiva, Hanuman, Maa Mangala, and Shri Chandika are also present here at Devi Ambika Temple.

As per devotees belief, one who makes a wish while looking at the goddess Ambika will experience a divine touch and can also fulfill his/her wish. Durga Puja, Pana Sankranti, Basanti Puja, Makar Sankranti, and Rojo Sankranti are the popular festivals celebrated with so much zeal and devotion at this temple. Apart from being a popular pilgrimage site in Odisha, the temple is also a prominent sightseeing choice as it is comfortably seated on a hill with a waterfall cascading below the temple. A 50 m high reservoir is another attraction located in the temple vicinity that makes a great spot in the region...

People of Baripada and the neighboring places in the district of Mayurbhanj hold Maa Ambika, the presiding deity of Ambika Temple in great awe and devotion. They swear by her literally. The temple is a small one unlike the imposing Jagannath Temple of Baripada and other famous temples of Odisha. Its outer walls are painted in gorgeous colors and the temple complex is quite moderate in size. The interior walls display paintings depicting stories of mythological themes.

The temple is surrounded by many stalls selling prasad, flowers and incense. The official one near the temple main gate sells good khuas and pedas for prasad,.and ghee smeared earthen lamps.

Ambika, the goddess has four arms, each holding a dreaded weapon. She is the incarnation of Goddess Durga. As is the practice in all Durga temples, there is also a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva inside the compound.

Morning and evening Aaratis are elaborate and are well attended. Devotional songs are sung during these times. One can order Anna Prasad in case of a manasika or promise of an offering made earlier. The food is cooked in the temple kitchen before it is offered to the deity before being partaken by family and friends of the devotee.

The modern temple is located less than one km from Jagannath temple and King's palace and slightly above one km from the private bus stand of Baripada. There used to be animal sacrifices in the temple complex earlier. Do not have the latest...

One of the oldest and most visited temples in Baripada. Maa Ambika temple is not only known for its ancientness and the godess, but also the priests and their team with their management skills, which really helps to regulate the crowd during festivals like "Navratri". The amount and level of inner peace one could aquire here is unbounded. If you are a tourist, then what are you waiting for, don't just listen to words, visit this temple yourself and you will get to know everything yourself. The locals are already very dedicated when it comes to Maa Ambika. Also the Prasad served here, 'Dala Khichdi' one of the most famous Prasad meals of Baripada is cooked very delightfully here. Just have it and enjoy life. If you have not yet visited Maa,...