Vimala Temple - Revision history

WikiDwarf: Undo revision 565543 by Indianachievers2026 (talk)

2026-10-03T03:58:12Z

Undo revision 565543 by Indianachievers2026 (talk)

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:28, 3 October 2026
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	The legend narrates the tale behind the tradition of offering the ''Uchchhishta'', which otherwise is a taboo in Hinduism. Once, Shiva on a visit to Vishnu's abode [[Vaikuntha]], saw that a few food grains (''Uchchhishta'') had fallen on the ground after Vishnu finished his meal. Shiva quickly picked up a grain and swallowed it. Unbeknownst to him, half of it stuck to his beard. When he returned to his abode, the sage [[Narada]] saw the half grain on Shiva's beard, and ate it. Parvati, Shiva's consort, was upset that her rightful share of Vishnu's prasad had been eaten by Narada. In a peeved mood, she went to Vishnu and complained. Vishnu pacified her saying that in the [[Kali Yuga]] (the present era as per Hindu beliefs), she would live at Puri as Vimala, and would daily eat the remnants of his food.<ref name=Bimala/>		The legend narrates the tale behind the tradition of offering the ''Uchchhishta'', which otherwise is a taboo in Hinduism. Once, Shiva on a visit to Vishnu's abode [[Vaikuntha]], saw that a few food grains (''Uchchhishta'') had fallen on the ground after Vishnu finished his meal. Shiva quickly picked up a grain and swallowed it. Unbeknownst to him, half of it stuck to his beard. When he returned to his abode, the sage [[Narada]] saw the half grain on Shiva's beard, and ate it. Parvati, Shiva's consort, was upset that her rightful share of Vishnu's prasad had been eaten by Narada. In a peeved mood, she went to Vishnu and complained. Vishnu pacified her saying that in the [[Kali Yuga]] (the present era as per Hindu beliefs), she would live at Puri as Vimala, and would daily eat the remnants of his food.<ref name=Bimala/>

	The only time in the year when separate food is cooked for the goddess is when she is offered non-vegetarian offerings. During [[Durga Puja]], Vimala is offered non-vegetarian food and animal sacrifice, traditionally offered to the Hindu Mother Goddess. The goddess is considered to assume a destructive form during the festival and the meat is considered necessary to placate her. In strict secrecy during the pre-dawn hours, animal sacrifice of a he-goat is offered in the temple, while fish from the sacred ~~markanda~~ temple tank are cooked and offered to Vimala, as per Tantric rituals. The rituals have to be completed before the doors of the main sanctum of the vegetarian Jagannath are opened at dawn and the first morning [[aarti]] is offered to the god. [[Vaishnava]] devotees of Jagannath are debarred from the temple. Only a few who witness the ceremony are given the ''Bimala parusa'' (Vimala's cuisine) as prasad. The animal sacrifice and the non-vegetarian offerings to Vimala produced protests.<ref name=Bimala/>		The only time in the year when separate food is cooked for the goddess is when she is offered non-vegetarian offerings. During [[Durga Puja]], Vimala is offered non-vegetarian food and animal sacrifice, traditionally offered to the Hindu Mother Goddess. The goddess is considered to assume a destructive form during the festival and the meat is considered necessary to placate her. In strict secrecy during the pre-dawn hours, animal sacrifice of a he-goat is offered in the temple, while fish from the sacred Markanda temple tank are cooked and offered to Vimala, as per Tantric rituals. The rituals have to be completed before the doors of the main sanctum of the vegetarian Jagannath are opened at dawn and the first morning [[aarti]] is offered to the god. [[Vaishnava]] devotees of Jagannath are debarred from the temple. Only a few who witness the ceremony are given the ''Bimala parusa'' (Vimala's cuisine) as prasad. The animal sacrifice and the non-vegetarian offerings to Vimala produced protests.<ref name=Bimala/>

	==References==		==References==

Indianachievers2026 at 19:34, 2 October 2026

2026-10-02T19:34:00Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:04, 3 October 2026
Line 91:		Line 91:
	The legend narrates the tale behind the tradition of offering the ''Uchchhishta'', which otherwise is a taboo in Hinduism. Once, Shiva on a visit to Vishnu's abode [[Vaikuntha]], saw that a few food grains (''Uchchhishta'') had fallen on the ground after Vishnu finished his meal. Shiva quickly picked up a grain and swallowed it. Unbeknownst to him, half of it stuck to his beard. When he returned to his abode, the sage [[Narada]] saw the half grain on Shiva's beard, and ate it. Parvati, Shiva's consort, was upset that her rightful share of Vishnu's prasad had been eaten by Narada. In a peeved mood, she went to Vishnu and complained. Vishnu pacified her saying that in the [[Kali Yuga]] (the present era as per Hindu beliefs), she would live at Puri as Vimala, and would daily eat the remnants of his food.<ref name=Bimala/>		The legend narrates the tale behind the tradition of offering the ''Uchchhishta'', which otherwise is a taboo in Hinduism. Once, Shiva on a visit to Vishnu's abode [[Vaikuntha]], saw that a few food grains (''Uchchhishta'') had fallen on the ground after Vishnu finished his meal. Shiva quickly picked up a grain and swallowed it. Unbeknownst to him, half of it stuck to his beard. When he returned to his abode, the sage [[Narada]] saw the half grain on Shiva's beard, and ate it. Parvati, Shiva's consort, was upset that her rightful share of Vishnu's prasad had been eaten by Narada. In a peeved mood, she went to Vishnu and complained. Vishnu pacified her saying that in the [[Kali Yuga]] (the present era as per Hindu beliefs), she would live at Puri as Vimala, and would daily eat the remnants of his food.<ref name=Bimala/>

	The only time in the year when separate food is cooked for the goddess is when she is offered non-vegetarian offerings. During [[Durga Puja]], Vimala is offered non-vegetarian food and animal sacrifice, traditionally offered to the Hindu Mother Goddess. The goddess is considered to assume a destructive form during the festival and the meat is considered necessary to placate her. In strict secrecy during the pre-dawn hours, animal sacrifice of a he-goat is offered in the temple, while fish from the sacred ~~Markanda~~ temple tank are cooked and offered to Vimala, as per Tantric rituals. The rituals have to be completed before the doors of the main sanctum of the vegetarian Jagannath are opened at dawn and the first morning [[aarti]] is offered to the god. [[Vaishnava]] devotees of Jagannath are debarred from the temple. Only a few who witness the ceremony are given the ''Bimala parusa'' (Vimala's cuisine) as prasad. The animal sacrifice and the non-vegetarian offerings to Vimala produced protests.<ref name=Bimala/>		The only time in the year when separate food is cooked for the goddess is when she is offered non-vegetarian offerings. During [[Durga Puja]], Vimala is offered non-vegetarian food and animal sacrifice, traditionally offered to the Hindu Mother Goddess. The goddess is considered to assume a destructive form during the festival and the meat is considered necessary to placate her. In strict secrecy during the pre-dawn hours, animal sacrifice of a he-goat is offered in the temple, while fish from the sacred markanda temple tank are cooked and offered to Vimala, as per Tantric rituals. The rituals have to be completed before the doors of the main sanctum of the vegetarian Jagannath are opened at dawn and the first morning [[aarti]] is offered to the god. [[Vaishnava]] devotees of Jagannath are debarred from the temple. Only a few who witness the ceremony are given the ''Bimala parusa'' (Vimala's cuisine) as prasad. The animal sacrifice and the non-vegetarian offerings to Vimala produced protests.<ref name=Bimala/>

	==References==		==References==

Caleb78G9218343 at 18:37, 18 April 2026

2026-04-18T18:37:23Z

New page

{{Short description|Hindu temple of goddess Vimala in Puri, India}}
{{good article}}
{{Infobox Hindu temple
| name = Vimala Temple
| image = Minor temples in Jagannath Puri.jpg
| alt = image of temple towers
| caption = Cluster of temples in the southern part of Jagannath temple complex, including the Vimala temple (extreme right). c. 1890.
| map_type = India Odisha
| map_caption = Location within Puri
| coordinates = {{coord|19|48|17|N|85|49|6|E|type:landmark_region:IN_scale:5000|display=inline,title}}
| other_names =
| proper_name =
| country = [[India]]
| state = [[Odisha]]
| district = [[Odishadistrict|Puri]]
| locale = Jagannath Temple premises
| elevation_m =
| deity = Vimala (Bimala) (tantric form of [[Lakshmi]])
| festivals= [[Durga Puja]]
| architecture = [[Kalinga architecture]] ([[Deula]])
| inscriptions =
| year_completed = 9th century
| temple_board = Shri Jagannath Temple Administration, Puri
| website = http://www.jagannath.nic.in/
}}

The '''Vimala temple''' or '''Mãā Bimåḷā Deuḷå''' ([[Odia language |Odia]] - ମାଁ ବିମଳା ଦେଉଳ) is a [[Hindu temple]] dedicated to goddess Vimala or Bimala (ବିମଳା), located within the [[Jagannath Temple, Puri|Jagannath Temple]] complex in [[Puri]] in the Indian state of [[Odisha]]. It is generally regarded as a [[Shakta pithas|Shakta pitha]], among the holiest temples dedicated to the [[Devi|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 ''[[Pancha Tirtha of Puri|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 [[Tantra|Tantric]] worshippers, who revere it even more than the main [[Jagannath]] shrine. Vimala is considered to be the tantric consort of Jagannath, hence considered as a tantric form of [[Lakshmi]] 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 (Jagannath Temple)|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 [[Vijayadashami]].

==History==
The central icon of Vimala is of sixth century CE.<ref name="Bimala">{{cite journal|last=Tripathy|first=Shrinibas|title=Goddess Bimala at Puri|journal=Odisha Review|date=September 2009|pages=66–69|url=http://magazines.odisha.gov.in/Orissareview/2009/September/engpdf/66-69.pdf|access-date=July 4, 2021|publisher=Government of Odisha e-Magazine|archive-date=July 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709185307/http://magazines.odisha.gov.in/Orissareview/2009/September/engpdf/66-69.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> The present structure, based on its architecture, seems to have been built in the ninth century under the [[Eastern Ganga dynasty]], possibly over ruins of an earlier temple.<ref name="Bimala" /><ref name="mahapatra" /> Its architecture is similar to the shrine of [[Narasimha]] near the ''[[Mukti Mandapa|Mukti-mandapa]]'' (a temple hall) in the Jagannath temple complex, dated to the ninth century.<ref name="Bimala" /> The ''[[Madala Panji]]'' states that the temple was constructed by Yayati Keshari, a ruler of [[List of rulers of Odisha#Somvanshi Dynasty|Somavashi Dynasty]] of [[South Kosala]]. Kings [[Yayati]] I (c. 922–955) and Yayati II (c. 1025–1040) are known by the title ''Yayati Keshari''. The sculptures, especially the parshvadevatas (attendant deities), as well as the background slab of the central icon, reflect the Somavashi style and may be part of the original temple, on whose ruins the new temple was constructed. Vimala is believed to have preceded even the central Jagannath shrine.<ref name="mahapatra" />

Hindu philosopher and saint [[Adi Shankara]] (c. 8th century) is believed to have established [[Govardhana matha]] in Puri, with Vimala as its presiding goddess. According to Starza (author of ''The Jagannatha Temple at Puri''), the [[Jagannath Temple, Puri|Jagannath Temple]] was once a centre of worship for the [[Trimurti]] of [[Brahma]], [[Vishnu]] and [[Shiva]], along with their consorts and the three central forms of the Hindu Goddess, [[Sarasvati]], [[Lakshmi]] and [[Parvati]]. The [[Shri Vidya]] sect devoted to Goddess worship was strong here until the 17th century. Slowly, Shri Vidya and Shiva-centric [[Shaiva]] traditions were eroded but remnants continue, with the Vishnu-centric [[Vaishnavism]] becoming the sole tradition. The Tantric ''[[Panchamakara]]'', which includes fish, meat, liquor, parched grain and ritual intercourse, were replaced with vegetarian offerings and dance of {{lang|sa|[[Devdasi]]s}}. Fish was caught locally and offered to the goddess.{{sfn|O'malley|2007|p=295}} King Narasimhadeva, who ruled between 1623 and 1647, ended the meat and fish offerings of the goddess,{{Sfn|Starza|1993|p=59}} although the tradition was later partly revitalized. Today, the goddess is offered meat and fish on special days.<ref name="Bimala" />

==Architecture==
[[File:Simplified schema of Kalinga architecture.jpg|thumb|350px|A typical Deula temple plan. The plan is similar to Vimala Temple, except the outermost hall which is a pidha-deula in the Vimala Temple, a Khakhara deula in the diagram.|alt=image of temple plan with four different towers]]

The temple is located in the south-west corner of the inner enclosure of the [[Jagannath temple]] complex and on the right hand western corner of the tower of Jagannath, next to the sacred pond ''[[Pancha Tirtha of Puri|Rohini kunda]]''.<ref name="Bimala" /><ref name="mahapatra">{{cite journal|last=Mahapatra|first=Ratnakar|date=September–October 2005|title=Vimala Temple at the Jagannath Temple Complex, Puri|url=http://magazines.odisha.gov.in/Orissareview/sept-oct-2005/sep-octreview.htm|journal=Odisha Review|publisher=Government of Odisha e-Magazine|pages=9–14|access-date=23 November 2012|archive-date=31 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180331210326/http://magazines.odisha.gov.in/Orissareview/sept-oct-2005/sep-octreview.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> The temple faces east and is built of [[sandstone]] and [[laterite]]. It is built in the ''[[Deula]]'' style that has four components namely, [[Vimana (architectural feature)|vimana]] (structure containing the sanctum), [[jagamohana]] (assembly hall), nata-[[mandapa]] (festival hall) and bhoga-mandapa (hall of offerings). The temple is maintained and was renovated around 2005 by the [[Archaeological Survey of India]], [[Bhubaneswar]] Circle.<ref name="mahapatra" />

===Vimana===
The vimana is a ''[[Deula#Rekha Deula|Rekha deula]]'' (a tall building with a shape of [[sugarloaf]]), {{Convert|60|ft}} in height and in shape of {{Convert|15|ft}} square. It stands on a {{Convert|2|ft}} platform, which is decorated with [[lotus (plant)|lotus]] and other floral designs and [[scrollwork]]. The outer wall of the vimana is divided into 5 parts (from base to top): ''pabhaga'', ''talajangha'', ''bandhana'', ''upara jangha'' and ''baranda''. The niches and intervening recesses of the first part of the wall are ornate, with ''khakhara mundi''s (a type of niche), scrollwork, floral designs, creepers, [[Maithuna|love-making couples]] and [[Nāga|Nagas]] (serpent-men). The niches and intervening recesses of the second part of the wall are also decorated with ''khakhara mundi''s, ''[[Yali (Hindu mythology)|simhavidala]]''s (a lion-faced beast), ''[[Gajavidala]]''s (an elephant-faced lion trampling a lion), [[jali]]work, scrollwork, ''sikshadana'' scene (sages teaching disciples) and ''[[kirtimukha]]'' (a monster face) [[motif (visual arts)|motif]]s, along with the figurines of eight [[Dikpala]]s (guardian gods of the directions) and some goddesses. The third part of the outer wall has two horizontal mouldings decorated with ''alasa-kanya''s (beautiful human maidens), scrollwork and floral and lotus motifs. The niches and recesses of the fourth part of the wall are decorated with ''pidha mundi''s (a type of niche), ''simhavidala''s, erotic scenes, ''alasa-kanya''s, scrollwork, jaliwork and floral designs, along with figures of the consorts of the Dikpalas, Nagas and their female consort Naginis and various goddesses. The Dikpalas and their consorts are seen with their mounts and aligned to their respective directions.<ref name="mahapatra" />

Images of the parshvadevatas (attendant deities) are placed in the central niches of the outer wall (''bada'') on three sides: the eight-armed Durga slaying Mahishasura on the south; the six-armed goddess [[Chamunda]] standing on Shiva on the west and an empty niche on the north, which probably had a goddess figure that was stolen. The [[lintel]] of the attendant deity niche has [[Gaja Lakshmi]] figurines. The frames of the niches are decorated with scrollwork and ''kirtimukha'' motifs and two female attendants accompany each niche. The uppermost part of the outer wall has ten horizontal mouldings, ornate with scrollwork, kirtimukha and lotus and floral motifs. Within the vimana lies the ''[[garbhagriha]]'' (sanctum), which is topped with a ''[[pancharatha]]''-style, curvilinear [[Sikhara|temple pinnacle]].<ref name="mahapatra" /> The goddess Vimala is deified within the sanctum, the sixth century inner chamber that is devoid of wall decorations.<ref name="Bimala" /> The central icon of Vimala holds a rosary in the upper right hand. Her lower right hand is held in a [[varadamudra|boon-giving gesture]] and her lower left holds a pitcher, considered to be filled with ''[[amrita]]''(celestial elixir of life). The attribute in the upper left hand is heavily disputed. Descriptions include a human figurine, a nagini, a mermaid, a naga-[[pasha]] (serpent-noose) or some other object. She holds no weapons normally attributed to Durga. The icon is installed on a ''simhasana'' (lion-throne), adorned with the figures of the goddess' female attendants Chhaya and Maya on the sides. The image is said to be made of ''lakha'' (a type of wax) and slightly taller than {{convert|4|ft}}.{{Sfn|Starza|1993|p=137}}<ref name="Bimala" /><ref name="mahapatra" />

The sanctum door, with a flight of stairs, leads down to the jagamohana. The lintel has the Gaja Lakshmi figurine in the centre surrounded with [[apsara]]s (celestial maidens). The [[Navagraha]] (deities of the classical planets) are carved above the lintel. The doorjambs are decorated scrollwork, creepers, flowers and boys playing. Two [[dvarapala|gate-keeper]] sculptors surround the door.<ref name="mahapatra"/>

===Jagamohana===
The jagamohana or mukhasala is a ''[[Deula#Pidha Deula|pidha deula]]'' (square building with a pyramid-shaped roof), {{convert|35|ft}} in height with a {{Convert|25|ft}} square base. It stands on a {{Convert|2|ft}} high platform, which is decorated with floral designs and scrollwork. The outer wall is divided into 5 parts, as in the vimana. The niches and intervening recesses of the first part are adorned with ''Khakhara mundi'' niches (having amorous couples and erotic scenes), Naga pilasters, scrollwork, jaliwork and floral motifs. The ''talajangha'' has the same motifs as the vimana's second part of the wall, barring the goddesses. The third part of the wall has three horizontal mouldings. The fourth part of the wall also resembles its counterpart in the vimana, except it does not have the Naga and goddess sculptures. The uppermost part of the wall has seven horizontal mouldings, the central portion of which is decorated with dancing women, amorous couples, elephants, deer, scrollwork and jaliwork. The ''[[Chandrashala|gavaksha]]'' (decorative arch) on the northern and southern sides are royal court and ''sikshadana'' scenes, with a balustraded window on each side. The frames of the windows are decorated with scrollwork, jaliwork, playing boys, floral designs, creepers and dancing women. The structure is topped with a pyramidal shikhara. The inner walls have no ornamentation. The jagamohana has two doorways: one towards the sanctum (already discussed in vimana section) and other towards the natamandapa, which is similar in style and decoration to the former.<ref name="mahapatra"/>

===Natamandapa===
The natamandapa is a ''pidha deula'', {{convert|22|ft}} in height and in shape of rectangle {{convert|35|ft}} in length by {{convert|18|ft}}. It is probably a later addition to the original temple, which consisted of the vimana and jagamohana. It stands on a {{Convert|3.5|ft}} platform. The five divisions of the outer wall are undecorated. It is topped with a small pyramidal pinnacle. The natamandapa has four door ways, one on each side of the wall. Inner walls of the natamandapa are adorned with [[Pattachitra]]-style traditional Odishan paintings, depicting sixteen forms of the Hindu Goddess, including the [[Mahavidyas]].<ref name="mahapatra"/>

===Bhogamandapa===
The bhogamandapa is a ''pidha deula'', {{convert|20|ft}} in height and in shape of {{Convert|15|ft}} square. It stands on a {{Convert|4|ft}} platform. The five outer wall divisions are undecorated. It is topped with a small pinnacle. An eight-armed dancing [[Ganesha]] and a 12-armed, six-headed standing [[Kartikeya]] (both are the sons of Parvati and Shiva) occupy niches on the western inner wall. The ceiling has floral paintings with a lotus design in the middle, suspending downwards.{{clarify|date=January 2013}} The bhogamandapa has four doorways, opening on each side. Two female gatekeepers guard each door. A flight of steps at the eastern doorway serves as the main entrance of the temple.<ref name="mahapatra"/>

At the entrance to the shrine outside the bhogamandapa, there is a {{convert|4|ft}} ''Gaja-Simha'', the lion – the goddess' ''[[vahana]]'' (mount or vehicle) – riding over an elephant, symbolizing the victory of good over evil. It is covered by a flat roof.<ref name=Bimala/><ref name="mahapatra"/>

==Religious significance==
[[File:Temple-Jagannath.jpg|thumb|Jagannath temple complex|alt=temple complex with four different towers, with the tallest in the background]]
The Vimala Temple is considered one of the [[Shakta pithas]], the most sacred temples of the Hindu Goddess, identified with [[Parvati]] or [[Durga]]. It is considered to be a prime example of the importance of the Shakti tradition in Odisha.{{sfn|Lal|1992|p=4294}} It is customary to worship the god [[Shiva]] (Parvati's consort) at each Shakta pitha in the form of [[Bhairava]], the male counterpart or guardian of the presiding goddess of the Shakta pitha.<ref name="Jones 2007">{{cite book|last1= Jones |first1= Constance |last2= Ryan|first2= James D.|title= Encyclopedia of Hinduism|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OgMmceadQ3gC&pg=PA545|access-date=14 November 2012|year=2007|publisher= Infobase Publishing |isbn=978-0-8160-7564-5|pages=401–402}}</ref>

In Goddess-oriented worship, Vimala (Bimala) is regarded as the presiding goddess of the Purushottama (Puri) Shakta pitha.<ref name="mahapatra"/> [[Jagannath]], a form of the god [[Vishnu]]/[[Krishna]] (Krishna is generally regarded as an avatar of Vishnu), is worshipped as the Pitha's Bhairava. This is a departure from the usual tradition of Bhairava as a form of Shiva. So, in this temple complex, Vishnu–one of [[Trimurti|the Hindu trinity]]–is equated with Shiva, another of the trinity; this is interpreted to convey the oneness of God. In this regard, Vimala - generally associated with Shiva's consort - is also considered as [[Lakshmi]], the consort of Vishnu.<ref name=Bimala/> Conversely, [[Tantra|Tantric]]s consider Jagannath as Shiva-Bhairava, rather than a form of Vishnu.<ref name="official">{{cite web | url=http://jagannath.nic.in/pdf/THE%20TEMPLE%20OF%20JAGANNATHA.pdf | title=THE TEMPLE OF JAGANNATHA | publisher=Shree Jagannath Temple Administration, Puri | work=Official site of Jagannath temple | access-date=November 25, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130530073442/http://jagannath.nic.in/pdf/THE%20TEMPLE%20OF%20JAGANNATHA.pdf | archive-date=May 30, 2013 | url-status=dead | df=mdy-all }}</ref>

The main sanctum of the [[Jagannath Temple]] has three deities: Jagannath, [[Balabhadra]] (elder brother of Krishna, sometimes identified with Shiva) and [[Subhadra]] (the younger sister of Krishna and Balabhadra). In Jagannath-centric traditions, while [[Lakshmi]] is the consort of Jagannath in the temple complex, Vimala is the Tantric consort and guardian goddess of the temple complex.{{Sfn|Starza|1993|p=20}}<ref name="mahapatra"/>

Vimala is identified with the goddesses [[Katyayini]], Durga, [[Bhairavi]], [[Bhuvaneshvari]] and [[Ekanamsha]] in various texts and rituals. She is considered the [[shakti]] of Vishnu as well as Shiva in the climactic [[Durga Puja]] festivities in the temple. She appears as [[Mahishasuramardini]] (Durga as slayer of the demon [[Mahishasura]]) or [[Ashtalakshmi|Vijayalakshmi]] (the warrior form of Lakshmi) in ''New Delhi Konark stele'', 13th century stone [[stele]] originally from [[Konark Sun Temple]] and now housed in [[National Museum, New Delhi]].{{Sfn|Starza|1993|pp=134–7}}<ref name="mahapatra"/>

===In Shakta pitha lists===
[[File:Jagannath during 2011.jpg|thumb|left|Jagannath (pictured), the presiding God of the temple complex, is described as the Bhairava or consort of the goddess Vimala.|alt=image of a temple idol decorated with flowers and fabric]]
According to Hindu Puranas, [[Sati (goddess)|Sati]], the daughter of ''[[Prajapati]]'' [[Daksha]], married Shiva against the wish of Daksha. Daksha organised a great [[Daksha yajna|yajna]] (sacrifice), but did not invite Sati and Shiva. Uninvited, Sati reached the yajna-site, where Daksha ignored Sati and vilified Shiva. Unable to withstand this insult, Sati sacrificed herself in the fire. The wild, grief-stricken Shiva wandered the universe with her half-burnt corpse. Finally, Vishnu dismembered her body into 51 parts, each of which fell on different places on the earth, each creating a Shakta pitha.<ref name="Jones 2007"/>

The list of Shakta pithas differ in various religious texts. Many mention Vimala or Jagannath temple complex as a Shakta pitha, and calls the location by various names. In the ''[[Kalika Purana]]'', four Pithas (centres of [[Tantra|Tantrism]]) are mentioned, corresponding to the four cardinal directions. The Oddiyana or Uddiyana (now clearly identified as Odisha) in the west hosts the temple of Katyayini (identified with Vimala) and her consort Jagannath. The ''Hevajara Tantra'', which has a similar list, also mentions Katyayini as the Bhairavi and Jagannath as the Bhairava in the Pitha of Udra (Odra, identified with Odisha).{{Sfn| Sircar| 1998|pp=11–2}}{{Sfn|Singh Deo|2001|p=17-8}}

The ''Pithanirnaya'' or ''Mahapithanirupana'' section from the ''Tantrachudamani'' mentions Viraja-kshetra in [[Utkala Kingdom|Utkala]] (present-day Odisha) as a Shakta pitha, with Vimala as the presiding goddess (Devi), Jagannath as Bhairava and her navel as the body part that fell here. One version of this text, however, demotes the site from a Pitha to an upa-Pitha (subordinate Pitha). Here, the ''[[Uchchhishta]]'' (that is, left-over or partially eaten food) of Sati is said to be the "fallen part" ( ''anga-pratyanga'') and the temple location is called [[Nilachal]] or "Blue mountain", which is the traditional name of the site of the Jagannath temple complex.{{Sfn| Sircar| 1998|pp=35–41}} Nilachala or Nila Parvata is mentioned as an upa-pitha also in the ''Shiva-charita'' with Vimala and Jagannath as the Devi and Bhairava respectively.{{Sfn|Singh Deo|2001|pp=134}}

The Tantric work ''Kubjika Tantra'' names Vimala among 42 ''Siddha Pitha''s, where ''[[Siddhi]]''s - a set of supernatural powers - can be gained.{{Sfn| Sircar| 1998|p=19}} The ''[[Devi Bhagavata Purana]]'', ''Prana Toshini Tantra'' and ''Brihan Nila Tantra'' name the Vimala temple as a Pitha in their list of 108 temples.{{Sfn| Sircar| 1998|pp=25–7}}{{Sfn|Singh Deo|2001|pp=133–4}} The ''[[Matsya Purana]]'' mentions Purushottama Kshetra with goddess Vimala as a Shakta pitha. The ''[[Vamana Purana]]'' notes it as a sacred pilgrimage site. The ''Mahapitha Nirupanam'' also mentions Vimala and Jagannath as deities of the Pitha. In the ''Namasttotra Sata'', a [[Puranic]] list of 100 mother goddesses, Vimala of Purushottama is named.{{Sfn|Singh Deo|2001|pp=133–4}} The ''[[Devi Purana]]'' also mentions it as a Pitha where the feet of Sati fell.{{Sfn|Singh Deo|2001|p=17}}<ref name="Bimala"/><ref name="mahapatra"/>

==Worship==
The people of Odisha take pride in the Vimala temple. They consider it the most important temple to the Goddess and a must-visit. Devotees visit the temple religiously every day and recite hymns from the ''[[Devi Mahatmya]]'', attributed to the sage [[Markandeya]], ''Debyaparadhakshyamapana'' [[stotram]] by Adi Shankara and ''Vimalastakam'' composed by Purusottam Rakshit.<ref name=Bimala/> It is prescribed that devotees pay their respects to the goddess Vimala before worshipping Jagannath in the main temple.<ref name="official"/>{{Sfn|Starza|1993|p=10}} The waters of ''Rohini kunda'', the ''tirtha'' (sacred pool) of Vimala, are also considered holy.{{Sfn|Starza|1993|p=10}} Tantrics often visit the temple, which they consider more important than the central Jagannath shrine.<ref name="mahapatra"/>

The Goddess-oriented festival of [[Durga Puja]] in the [[Hindu month]] of [[Ashvin]] (October) is celebrated for sixteen days, culminating with [[Vijayadashami]].<ref name = "official"/> On Vijayadashami, Vimala is worshipped by the titular [[Gajapati Kingdom|Gajapati]] king of Puri as the goddess [[Durga]], who is believed to have slain the demon Mahishasura on this day. The earliest record of this is the ''New Delhi Konark stele'', which narrate that King [[Narasimhadeva I]] (reign: 1238–1264) worshipped Durga-Madhava (Vimala-Jagannath) on the tenth day of [[Durga Puja]], that is, Vijayadashami.{{Sfn|Starza|1993|p=121}} As the goddess is believed to assume a destructive aspect during the Durga Puja, women are debarred in the temple as they are considered too "weak-hearted" to witness this terrible form of the goddess.<ref name=Bimala/>

===Food offerings===
{{main|Mahaprasad (Jagannath Temple)}}
[[File:Abadha Kudua.jpg|thumb|right|Food offerings to Jagannath become ''Mahaprasad'' (pictured) after being offered to Goddess Vimala.|alt=image of food kept in various mud cups]]
Generally, no separate food offerings are cooked for the goddess Vimala. The goddess is described to survive on the remnants (''[[Uchchhishta]]'') of Jagannath's meals.<ref name=Bimala/> The vegetarian food offerings to Jagannath are offered to Vimala, after which they are sanctified as ''[[Mahaprasad (Jagannath Temple)|Mahaprasad]]'' (see also ''[[Prasad (food offering)|prasad]]''). The ''Mahaprasad'' consists of dried rice mixed with grated coconut, cheese, curd and butter.{{Sfn|Starza|1993|p=10}}<ref name=Bimala/> The [[Shankaracharya]], head of the Govardhana matha, receives a pot of the mahaprasad and a plate of [[khichdi]] that is offered to the goddess, the presiding goddess (''Adya-shakti'') of the matha as well as of the temple.{{Sfn|Starza|1993|p=121}}

The legend narrates the tale behind the tradition of offering the ''Uchchhishta'', which otherwise is a taboo in Hinduism. Once, Shiva on a visit to Vishnu's abode [[Vaikuntha]], saw that a few food grains (''Uchchhishta'') had fallen on the ground after Vishnu finished his meal. Shiva quickly picked up a grain and swallowed it. Unbeknownst to him, half of it stuck to his beard. When he returned to his abode, the sage [[Narada]] saw the half grain on Shiva's beard, and ate it. Parvati, Shiva's consort, was upset that her rightful share of Vishnu's prasad had been eaten by Narada. In a peeved mood, she went to Vishnu and complained. Vishnu pacified her saying that in the [[Kali Yuga]] (the present era as per Hindu beliefs), she would live at Puri as Vimala, and would daily eat the remnants of his food.<ref name=Bimala/>

The only time in the year when separate food is cooked for the goddess is when she is offered non-vegetarian offerings. During [[Durga Puja]], Vimala is offered non-vegetarian food and animal sacrifice, traditionally offered to the Hindu Mother Goddess. The goddess is considered to assume a destructive form during the festival and the meat is considered necessary to placate her. In strict secrecy during the pre-dawn hours, animal sacrifice of a he-goat is offered in the temple, while fish from the sacred Markanda temple tank are cooked and offered to Vimala, as per Tantric rituals. The rituals have to be completed before the doors of the main sanctum of the vegetarian Jagannath are opened at dawn and the first morning [[aarti]] is offered to the god. [[Vaishnava]] devotees of Jagannath are debarred from the temple. Only a few who witness the ceremony are given the ''Bimala parusa'' (Vimala's cuisine) as prasad. The animal sacrifice and the non-vegetarian offerings to Vimala produced protests.<ref name=Bimala/>

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==Bibliography==
*{{cite book|last=Lal|first=Mohan|title=Encyclopaedia of Indian Literature: Sasay to Zorgot|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KnPoYxrRfc0C&pg=PA4294|year=1992|publisher=Sahitya Akademi|isbn=978-81-260-1221-3}}
*{{cite book|last=O'malley|first=L.S.S.|title=Bengal District Gazetteer : Puri|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pwD0-YV2LCYC&pg=PA295|date=1 January 2007|publisher=Concept Publishing Company|isbn=978-81-7268-138-8}}
*{{cite book|last= Sircar |first= Dines Chandra |title= The Śākta Pīṭhas|year=1998|publisher= Motilal Banarsidass Publ|isbn=978-81-208-0879-9}}
* {{cite book|last=Singh Deo|first=Jitamitra Prasad|title=Tāntric Art of Odisha|year=2001|publisher=Kalpaz Publications|isbn=978-81-7835-041-7}}
* {{cite book|first=O. M.|last= Starza|title=The Jagannatha Temple at Puri: Its Architecture, Art, and Cult|year=1993|publisher=BRILL|isbn=978-90-04-09673-8}}

{{Shakti temples in Odisha}}{{Hindu temples in Odisha}}{{Shaktism}}

[[Category:Jagannath Temple Complex]]
[[Category:Shakta pithas]]
[[Category:Jagannath]]
[[Category:Hindu temples practicing animal sacrifice]]
[[Category:6th-century Hindu temples]]
[[Category:9th-century Hindu temples]]