User:Bhupatibhusan/sandbox

In the Mahabharata composed by Vyasadeva, Jajpur has been mentioned as Birajahkshetra. it being so the main presiding deity was named after the place as Biraja and later on the place became popularly known as Biraja kshetra in lieu of Birajah kshetra. on the other hand Jajpur has also been famous as Baraha kshetra and "kroda Tirtha";Like Goddess Biraja, Lord Baraha has been a cynosure for the devotees of Baraha called as the Baraha-worship of jajpur takes a prominent place in India.

On the north Bank of the river"Baitarani" a temple though old but sculpturally magnificent has been dedicated to Lord Baraha. The village in which the temple is situated is Barahanath named after the Lord Baraha.The temple was erected by Matsya Keshari the king of Keshari dynasty as depicted in the book "Katak Rajavansabali" written by Tripathy and Kulkarni. But some historians opine that prataprudradev the king of Gajapati dynasty had built this temple. But some historians believe that Prataparudra Deva might have reconstructed it. However, it is one of the oldest temples of Jajpur found at present. it is a matter of regret to note here that though the archaelogical deptt. has taken up the temple, no eye catching care or development has been effected so far.

Lord Vishnu is worshipped in the form of Baraha only at Jajpur but no where else in Odisa. Three idols of Baraha were worshiped in the Baraha temple of Jajpur. They were known as sweta Baraha, Yajna Baraha and Laxmi Baraha. Now Laxmi Baraha is not found in the shrine and in his place Goddess Laxmi and Lord Jagannath are found. There is a popular legend that the ruler of Ali (Aul) of Kendrapara district was daily coming to Jajpur for a darshan of BarahaDeva. The ruler became old and became incapable of travelling a long distance for the purpose of darshan. He prayed with deep devotion, as a result Laxmi Baraha followed him. The ruler also built a magnificent temple for the Lord and Laxmi Baraha was installed there. To the south of the present Baraha temple three idols of Baraha are worshiped in an open temple. It may be presumed that similar idols of Baraha were also in the main shrine some years back.

It is a very difficult task to trace the origin and development of Baraha culture in some definite words, tshough some anecdotes are found in Taittiriya Brahman which belongs to Yajurveda, Mahabharat, Shreemad Bhagabata and other scriptures. But it is an admitted fact that Jajpur is the ancient seat of Baraha worship. While analysing the origin and development of Baraha worship, three anecdotes come to the notice of the scholars as follows.

The first anecdote as depicted in "Biraja kshetra Mahatmya" is as follows. Once Brahma, the creator of the universe arranged a great sacrifice toappease lord Bishnu. Goddess Biraja and Isaneswar appeared from the blazing flame of the sacrificial fire named Garhapatya and Ahabaniya. Brahma installed them and then prayed to Lord Bishnu. Bishnu being pleased with his prayer appeared there and sat in meditation. While meditating twelve numbers of Madhabas arose there from his body and these Madhabas adorned this kshetra as  the representatives of Lord Bishnu and Baraha Madhab is on of them.

The second anecdote as narrated in the "Biraja kshetra Mahatmya" is very important and popular. As per the description there was a mountain named "MANICHUDA" on the north bank of the river Baitarani where mainly tribals were living. In the vicinity of this mountain there was a forest named Bilwa Sundari. A sage named "Deerghatapa" was in austere penance in this forests. At that time the son of king Kamarupeswar entered in to this forest with a view to chasing the wild animals. The sorrowful cry of the animals disturbed and anguished the sage. As a result, he cursed the prince for taking birth in a chaser community. On hearing this curse, the prince became pale and begged for giveness. The sage being a little appeased told him to get divine knowledge and salvation in that birth. Thereafter that prince took his birth as the son of "Chitrenu" the chief of the denizens of the woods in the name of "Bichitradhanwa". One day "Bichitradhanwa" being attacked by a boar tried his best to kill him. The boar being frightened entered into a hole. As a result, the mountain Manichuda went beneath and "Patala Ganga" arose through that hole. That boar appeared there as the incarnation of Lord Bishnu with his consort Laxmi. Bichitradhanwa prayed to God Boar. Being pleased with him, Laxmi made him drink the nectar and the boar became four handed Bishnu. From that day Lord Vishnu resided there in the form of Baraha.

The third anecdote is totally based on legend. Jajati keshari II, the builder of ancient Jajpur, has performed ten horse sacrifices on the bank of river Baitarani. From that sacrificial fire the God Boar appeared.

Discussing on the above three anecdotes, the scholars are of opinion that Swetabaraha is the outcome of the first sacrifices, Laxmi Baraha has appeared to grace Bichitradhanwa as depicted in the second anectode and the yajna Baraha has spung from the sacrifice arranged by Jajati keshari. The worship of Trinity in the Baraha culture is no where else found except Jajpur.

Sculpturally the images of the boar Gods are unique and uncommon. The lenght of the seat is of seven cubits and height is four hands. The idols of Yajna Baraha has been engraved on a stone of one and half cubits height. He is four handed and has held a wheel, conch and Laxmi. The face of Yajna Baraha is like of the and has faced the north. Sweta Baraha is to his right and Goddess Laxmi to the left. On the upper part of the idols, the shadow of the water at the time of destruction is found graved. The feet of the Gods rest on the head of the serpent(Shesanaga). Serjeant with the human face stands with folded hands. The human face of the serpent stands with folded hands. The Art and Architecture of orissa have been excellently displayed in the temple and shrine.

The Birthday ceremony of Baraha every year is held on Bakula Amabasya. Besides this, so many other festivals like Baraha Dola and Bali Yatra are also observed in pomp and ceremony. There is a popular belief among the people that taking a dip in the Baraha Tirtha, if some one goes to Baraha for a Darshan, becomes free from worldly bondage and goes to the abode of Lord Vishnu after death. Hence people from different parts of India come to this Baraha kshetra and offer oblations to the Lord.