Chat with Astrologer
Talk to Astrologer
Chat with Astrologer
Talk to Astrologer
.png){kind=icon}
Talk to India's best Astrologers
First Consultation at ₹1 only
Login
Enter your mobile number
One of four Adi Shakti Peeths, Vimala Shakti Peeth, is dedicated to Goddess Vimla, the most peaceful form of Durga. Older than the Jagannath temple, this Shakti Peeth is the only place where Bimala Maa is worshipped as Shakti and Lord Jagannath as Bhairava.
Goddess Vimala is considered the form of Adi Shakti (Mata Parvati) and the tantric consort of Lord Jagannath. Per mythological beliefs, she is the guardian deity (Kshetrapailika) of Srikshetra Puri and has been worshipped as the main deity of Nilachal even before the construction of the present Jagannath Temple. Known as Kaivalya Bhojini, the Vimala Devi goddess is the giver of moksha.
The ancient text Tantra Chudamani (Pithanirnaya section) claims that Goddess Vimala is the supreme Devi and Lord Jagannath is her Bhairava in the sacred land of Viraja Kshetra. Apart from being a Shakti pith, ancient texts like Kubjika Tantra and Jnanarnava Tantra recognise Vimala Puri as a Shakta Pitha, where Tantric worship flourished.
Ancient religious texts like Shiva Purana, Kalika Purana and Devi Bhagvata Purana claim Puroshattama Shetra as a Shakti Peeth where Goddess Sati’s feet fell (Paada Khanda). However, some believe Sati’s navel may have fallen here instead of the feet. Let us understand the importance of Vimala Shakti Peeth in Puri temple through cultural and astrological aspects:
Unlike other Shakti Peethas, the Bimala Maa resides with Lord Jagannath in Puri as his tantric consort. The cultural significance of the Puri Shakti Peeth Vimala can be seen during major festivals such as Durga Puja, Diwali and Navratri. The temple follows a unique ritual that shows Bimala Maa’s authority in Puri.
According to the ritual, the maha prasad is first offered to Goddess Vimala before Lord Jagannath, and devotees must visit Bimala Maa before seeking Lord Jagannath's blessings. During the 16th century, under King Ramchandra Dev-I, Kaulachara traditions influenced Goddess Vimala Devi's worship. Fish and goat sacrifices were offered to the Goddess from Maha Saptami to Maha Navmi.
The Vimala Shakti Peeth in Puri is an important pilgrimage site for devotees, particularly those born under the Pisces zodiac sign. It is associated with Moola Nakshatra, ruled by the planet Ketu (the planet of detachment and spirituality).
Worshipping Goddess Vimala in the form of Shakti here grants devotees moksha (liberation from the cycle of birth and rebirth). This is why devotees visit this temple to remove their past life debts and deeds and seek prosperity and peace.
The Vimala Devi Story Goddess is linked to Hari Kaivalya (spiritual liberation), as mentioned in Bamadeva Samhita, where Lord Shiva granted Parvati a boon at Puri in Kaliyuga. Below are the different Vimala Devi story associated with this holy Shakti Pith:
When Sati self-immolated in grief over her father Daksh Prajapati’s insult to her husband, Shiva, Vishnu dismembered her body to soothe the sorrow of Lord Shiva. It is believed that her feet fell at Puri, establishing the area as Vimala Shakti Peeth, where the goddess Vimala Devi is worshipped alongside her husband, Jagannath.
Once, Lord Shiva visited Lord Vishnu in Vaikuntha and saw rice grains on the ground after Vishnu’s meal. He quickly picked up grain and ate it, unknowingly, leaving half a grain in his beard. Back in Kailash, Narad Muni ate the half-grain.
This angered Goddess Parvati, who rushed to Vishnu to complain, thinking she had missed her share. Lord Vishnu promised her that he would reside in Puri as Jagannath, and Parvati would be Vimala and receive the Mahaprasad of Jagannath daily.
Built between the 6th and 9th centuries CE, the ancient Bimala Mandir Puri follows the Rekha and Pidha Deula architectural styles commonly seen in Odisha temples. It is a perfect example of the bygone Kalinga architectural style, constructed from sandstone and laterite.
The Bimala Mandir Puri’s structure is divided into four components: Vimana, Jagmohana, Natmandapa and Bhogmandapa. Let us explore all of them one by one:
The innermost sanctum of the Vimala Shakti Peeth is built in the Rekha Deula style with a curvilinear tower (shikhara). This Shikhara rises to about 60 ft and stands on a 2-ft raised platform called pitha. The doors of the temple’s sanctum directly lead to the assembly hall (Jagmohana).
Between the sanctum and the festival hall of the temple is the assembly hall Jagmohana, where devotees gather for worship. Built in the Pidha deula style, this hall has a pyramidal roof and two main openings towards the sanctum (Vimana) and Natmandapachu.
Derived from the Sanskrit words ‘Nata’ (dance) and ‘Mandapa’ (hall), Natmandapa is the place where dance performances occur during festivals. This structure is 22 feet high and is built on a 3.5-foot platform. Moreover, the inner walls depict the sixteen forms of Goddess Durga in the Pata painting style.
Lastly, Bhogmandapa, the temple's fourth structure, is built in the Pidha Deula style. It stands on a 4-foot-high platform and rises 20 feet above the temple’s surface. The exterior walls of the area are divided into five sections, whereas the inner walls have sculptures of Lord Ganesha and Lord Kartikeya.
Learn About Other Shaktipeeth
