Information of Akhadachandi Temple, Bhubaneswar, Odisha

The Akhadachandi Temple is among the few temples dedicated to Goddess Chandi the other name Goddess Durga. This temple is located in the Bhubaneswar in the Khorda district of the Indian state of Orissa. In Bhubaneswar the temple is located in the old town in the south western bank of the Bindusagar tank in Badu Sahi. A number of other temples surround this temple of Goddess Durga.

Akhada Chandi Temple Religious Significance

The Akhasachandi temple houses the idol of Goddess Durga who is worshipped here in the name of Mahisasuramardini. Just like Lord Shiva is the Supreme his consort Goddess Durga is the Divine mother and is considered as Adi-Shakti. Adi Shakti means the Supreme power from which all forms of beings, knowledge and creation originates. According to the Hindus Goddess Durga is the doer of everything. Durga is the Goddess of Victory from all the evil and demons.

The most important festival celebrated in the temple is the Durga Puja one of the biggest festivals celebrated in Orissa. The span of Durga Puja is ten days and is called the festival of dasshami. On the tenth day Durga attains victory and hence is celebrated as a day of rejoice, valour and power of Durga.

The temple is open for worship to all Hindus and devotes offer their articles such as bangles, vermillion powder, mirror, ear rings, black kajal and many other decorative articles for shringar of the mother. Balabhoga is also performed here because one of the basic ritual while worshipping Goddess Durga is animal sacrifice. These animals are considered as beasts and demons at war with Goddess Durga.

Akhada Chandi Temple Mythology & History

The Akhadachandi temple is small temple built in the 10th century AD. The Kings reigning during the 10th century were ardent devotee of Mahisasuramardini that is another form of Goddess Durga. She is said to attain a ferocious from and kill all the evil demons and drink their blood as a sign of Victory. Marhisasuramardini is the Goddess of victory and war and since time immemorial she is offered with animal sacrifice.

Akhada Chandi Temple Architectural Significance

This temple also features the common Kalinga architecture seen in the temples of Orissa. It was built in the medieval period. The temple is built facing the south. The material used to build the temple is coarse grained sandstone. The temple shows a Khakhara plan and is rectangle in shape which measures 1.28 by 1.83 metres. The main part of the temple is the vimana housing the sanctum sanctorum. The sanctum consists of an idol of Mahisasuramardini and is placed facing towards the east. The vimana is 42.94 metres high from the inside. The included Rekha order features bada with a height of 1.74 metres, a gandi comprising of a semicircular roof consisting of tiers and mastaka comprising a kalasa or a sacred golden vase having gajakranta on each sides of the kalasa.

The bada further has the pabhaga 0.26 metres high, jangha 0.52 metres high, Bandhana 0.08 metres high and the veranda of 0.26 metres.

The only piece of decoration in the surface of the temple walls in on the doorjambs with designs of 1.10 metres by 0.65 metres. There are three entrances in the temple. The walls of the temples are devoid of any kind of decorations or carvings. The temple is well organised and well planned structure makes is quite easier for devotees to offer prayers or chant mantras to please goddess or spend time inside the temple praising goddess for giving such a wonderful life.

In other words, it is quite pleasing to be here and spend time amid the religious aura to seek blessing from the goddess for a happy life.