Shri Vimala Shakti Peetha Temple, Puri — Attraction in Puri

Frequently asked questions and answers about the Shri Vimala Shakti Peetha Temple in Puri: General Information Q: What is the significance of the Shri Vimala Shakti Peetha Temple? A: It is revered as one of the 51 Shakti Peethas in India, believed to be the place where the navel (Nabhi Khanda) of the goddess Sati fell. It is also considered the consort temple of Lord Jagannath and an essential part of the Puri temple complex. Q: Where is the Shri Vimala Shakti Peetha Temple located? A: It is situated within the Jagannath Temple complex in Puri, Odisha, India. It is located in the southwestern corner of the inner enclosure. Q: Who is the presiding deity of the Shri Vimala Shakti Peetha Temple? A: The presiding deity is Goddess Vimala, also known as Bimala Devi. She is considered the Tantric consort of Lord Jagannath. Q: What is the origin story of the Shakti Peetha? A: Legend says that when Lord Shiva was carrying the burning body of his consort Sati, Lord Vishnu used his Sudarshana Chakra to cut her body into 51 pieces, which fell at various places on Earth, each becoming a Shakti Peetha. Puri is where her navel is believed to have fallen. Q: What are the timings for visiting the Shri Vimala Shakti Peetha Temple? A: The temple timings generally follow the Jagannath Temple schedule, which can vary slightly. It's best to check the current timings at the temple entrance or official temple websites. Typically, it opens in the morning after the Mangala Aarti and closes after the Pahuda Dwara (closing of doors) at night. Deities and Rituals Q: What is the idol of Goddess Vimala made of? A: The idol of Goddess Vimala is believed to be made of stone. Q: What are the major rituals performed at the Shri Vimala Shakti Peetha Temple? A: Daily rituals include morning and evening aartis, offering of bhog (sacred food), and special pujas. During festivals, elaborate rituals are performed. Q: What is the significance of the Bhog offered to Goddess Vimala? A: The Bhog offered to Lord Jagannath is first offered to Goddess Vimala. Only after she has accepted it is it considered "Mahaprasad" and distributed to devotees. Q: Is animal sacrifice still practiced at the Vimala Temple? A: Historically, animal sacrifice was practiced. However, it is no longer a regular practice. Symbolic offerings might still be part of certain tantric rituals, but open animal sacrifice is generally prohibited within the main temple complex. Q: How is Goddess Vimala related to Lord Jagannath? A: Goddess Vimala is considered the Tantric consort (Shakti) of Lord Jagannath (Bhairava). Their presence together signifies the complete divine entity. Q: Can devotees offer special prayers or pujas to Goddess Vimala? A: Yes, devotees can offer special prayers and pujas to Goddess Vimala. You can inquire at the temple office about the different types of pujas and their procedures. Visiting the Temple Q: Is there a separate entrance to the Vimala Temple? A: No, the Vimala Temple is located within the Jagannath Temple complex, so you need to enter the main temple. Q: Are there any specific dress codes to be followed while visiting the temple? A: Devotees are expected to dress modestly. Covering shoulders and knees is generally recommended as a sign of respect. Q: Are photography and videography allowed inside the Vimala Temple? A: Photography and videography are generally prohibited inside the sanctum sanctorum of both the Jagannath Temple and the Vimala Temple. Q: Are there any facilities for devotees at the temple? A: Basic facilities like drinking water and prasad counters are available within the Jagannath Temple complex. Q: What is the best time to visit the Shri Vimala Shakti Peetha Temple? A: The temple can be visited throughout the year. However, during major festivals like Navaratri and Durga Puja, the temple witnesses a large number of devotees. The weather in Puri is generally pleasant during the winter months...

The Vimala Temple, also spelled as Bimala Temple is a Hindu Temple in Puri in the Indian state of Odisha. This temple is one great object of pride for the Odisha people. It is indeed a majestic one and that too is an understatement. The temple is a part of the famous and highly revered Jagannath Temple Complex. It is regarded as a Shakti Peeth. The Vimala temple is faced towards the east and is made up of laterite and sandstones. The temple was last renovated in the year 2005 and it is maintained by the ASI (Archaeological Survey of India), Bhubaneswar Cycle. Although the shrine of the Vimala temple is not very big in stature by any means or stretch of imagination, however, the Vimala temple holds huge significance to the goddess oriented Tantric and Shakta worshippers who pay more reverence to it than even the main Jagannath shrine. Vimala is regarded as the Tantric consort of Jagannath and the guardian of the Jagannath temple. It is exactly due to this reason devotees show their respect to Vimala prior to worshipping the main Jagannath shrine.

A pond named Rohini Kund is located nearby the temple. The construction of the Vimala temple is in Deula style. When visited during the Durga Puja, the temple is brilliantly decorated and the celebration goes on for as many as 16 days with great grandeur and pomp. So it is a great time to kill two birds with a single stone as you get to visit the temple and also get to see the grand festivity along with it. Thousands of people flock from different parts of the country to witness and be a part of this wonderful spectacle every year. Puri is easily accessible from any place of India with plenty of transport...

The Vimala Temple or Bimala Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to goddess Vimala (Bimala), located within the Jagannath Temple complex in Puri in the Indian state of Orissa . It is generally regarded as a Shakti Pitha , among the holiest temples dedicated to the Hindu Goddess . The temple is located in the south- west corner of the inner enclosure of the Jagannath temple complex and on the western corner of the tower of Jagannath, next to the sacred pond Rohini kunda . The temple faces east and is built of sandstone and laterite . It is built in the Deula style with four components; vimana (structure containing the sanctum), jagamohana (assembly hall), nata- mandapa (festival hall) and bhoga- mandapa (hall of offerings). The temple was renovated around 2005 and is maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India , Bhubaneswar Circle. Though a small shrine in the temple complex, the Vimala temple is important to the Goddess- oriented Shakta and Tantric worshippers, who revere it even more than the main Jagannath shrine. Vimala is considered to be the Tantric consort of Jagannath and a guardian of the temple complex. Devotees pay respect to Vimala before worshipping Jagannath in the main temple. Food offered to Jagannath does not get sanctified as Mahaprasad until it is also offered to Vimala. The Goddess-oriented festival of Durga Puja in the Hindu month of Ashvin (October) is celebrated for sixteen days at Vimala, culminating with...