Devkund
(Debakunda / Deokund) (means "The bathtub of Gods and Goddesses") is a
nice scenic spot in the district of Mayurbhanj, Odisha.
It is found at a distance of 60 km from Baripada and 85 km from Balasore in Odisha state.
This place is an important tourist attraction because of its waterfalls and natural beauty.
To
see how the art and craft gets intermingled with culture, please visit
Bhubaneswar during the month of September-October because it is the time
when Durga Puja is celebrated in a high fervour.
Some details about Satkosia from the Govt website:The Satkosia Gorge along
the river Mahanadi, passes through Angul, Boudh, Cuttack and Nayagarh
districts in central Orissa and is the natural habitat for the two endangered fresh water
crocodilian species, the Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) and Mugger
(Crocodylus palustris). In order to protect the dwindling crocodile population, the Forest
Department of the Government of Orissa with technical support from the
UNDP and FAO decided to start a breeding programme of crocodiles during March 1974. As a part
of this joint conservation initiative, the Gharial Research and
Conservation Unit (GRACU) was started during March 1975. The GRACU had done pioneering work in
crocodile conservation in India. The activities include Conservation
Breeding; releasing of reared crocodiles into the wild and its rehabilitation had been some of the challenging activities carried out by the centre.Thereafter in 1976 due to the immense
biodiversity values, the dense forest lands on both sides of the river
Mahanadi along the gorge was declared as the Satkosia Gorge Sanctuary. Subsequently the two
adjoining sanctuaries namely the Satkosia Gorge Sanctuary and Baisipalli
sanctuary were combinly and declared as Satkosia Tiger Reserve during
December, 2007.Core area of the Tiger Reserve lies
within Satkosia Gorge Sanctuary. The reserve is spread over 4 districts;
Angul, Cuttack, Nayagarh and Boudh. The tiger reserve has an area of 964 sq km with 524 sq km as core area. And we planned for a travel to Satkosia and to stay in the camp.So we 1st checked the Odisha govt website for Satkosia. Welcome To Satakosia The 2nd address tells about the Angul district wildlife division office.We called their contact number and they told about the details of the place and how much cost per person.It was Rs1000 per person and one tent to be shared by two. Then we took a screenprint of the map and started from Bhubaneswar to Angul. It took around 3hrs.In Angul wildlife divisional office, we took the permission and booked the tent for the nature camp.Then we started towards the camp. It took 30mins to reach the spot. Here are few pics of the camp. Here are few pics of the scenic beauty of Satkosia Gorge. Here are few pics of the crocodile sanctuary. One pic of the tortoise. BUT NO PIC of TIGER as it is getting
extincted day by day. A time may come when no animal will be there and
human-being will need to convert itself to animal to maintain the
ecosystem . Finally we started back to Bhubaneswar the next day after taking the last pic.
This will be helpful for them who would like to visit the archeological and ancient sculptures of India. If you are at Bhubaneswar for one day, then you can visit the place which possess the ancient sculptures/monuments of 9th century. Or you can do both on the same day as the place is just 15km from Bhubaneswar.
Few details about the temple: It was built during 9th century for occult practices, probably under the Bhauma rulers of Odisha.
The queen of the village Hirapur(Hiradeipur) was "Hiradei". The temple is in hypaethral (no roof) and circular structure with 64 joginis (yoginis) inside it. Each Jogini represent a different character. The Jogini cult as an offshoot of tantric practices in India took shape during the 9th -13th century .
I started my short travel after having Idly and Ghuguni (Alu Matar Curry) as homemade breakfast.
I took the below route to reach the temple. Bhubaneswar station/airport -> Kalpana square -> Ravi talkies square -> Take left at Ravi talkies towards Kuakhai river -> Cross the river bridge and go right -> Within 2 to 3 minutes you can see a small bridge over the canal -> Go to left, cross the small bridge and that is Hirapur village. Google map from Bhubaneswar to Chausathi Jogini Temple: On Kuakhai river bridge…
After crossing the bridge…
On the way to Hirapur…
Hirapur… which was a pure village sometime back, is getting converted to a township.
Scenic beauty near “Chausathi Jogini Temple”…
Odisha Tourism Centre near the temple…
At the entrance of “Chausathi Jogini Temple” campus…
The “Chausathi Jogini Temple”…
Not taken the pics inside as you can get it in youtube. Jogini Cult was initiated in Indian subcontinent with the 64JoginiTemple at Hirapur,Khordha,Odisha &spread upto central,north,south India. There are other Jogini temples at Ranipur-Jharial(Balangir,Odisha), Bhedaghat, Shahdol, Badoh, Dudahi, Khajuraho, Rikhiyan, Lokhari, Mitauli, Naresar, Hinglajgadh and Kancheepuram. Only at 5 places the temple structure survived, rest all destroyed and only few idols are found scattered. 1) 64 Jogini temple, Hirapur, Odisha[1st Jogini temple of India] (Temple structure was excavated in 1953AD and one Jogini idol is missing. Worship is going on with the broken idols.) 2) 64 Jogini temple, Ranipur-Jharial, Odisha (Around 17 idols are missing) 3) Rectangular 64 Jogini temple, Khajuraho - Madhya Pradesh (No Jogini idol found. Getting ruined) 4) 81 Jogini temple, Bhedaghat - Madhya Pradesh (Many Jogini idols are not found and some niches are replaced with other Gods.) 5) Morena - Madhya Pradesh (No Jogini idol is there. Instead, Siva lingas are there.) Jogini temples-1(Click here)
64JoginiTemple at Hirapur: The outer circumference of this hypaethral temple is abt 90ft with projection of 4ft ength & 2ft6inches breadth. The entrance to the east connects d vestibule passage. There are 2 Dwarapala at d entrance & 9 Katayani on d niches of d outer wall. In d innner side the temple 60 joginis r there, 4 joginis & 4 bhairabas installed on the Chandi mandap pillars at d centre of d temple. Lets know the names and some details about the 64 Joginis present at Hirapur. Jogini 1:Maya / Bahurupa / Chandika: Four armed, Braid of hair over her head, Ornaments-armlets,anklets, necklace etc Bahana: Shaba/Corpse Jogini 2: Tara: Two armed, knee bent pose, braid of hair to d left, ornaments for head & other like jogini1. Bahana: Shaba/Corpse Jogini 3: Narmada Two armed, braids of hair to d right of head, wears garland of skulls,holds a skull cup near mouth, Bahana:Haati/Elephant Jogini 4: Jamuna Four armed, pratyalidha pose, curling hair raised over d head, skull cup right upper hand Bahana:BruhatKachhapa/BigTortoise Jogini 5: Shanti/Kanti/Lakshmi/Mananda Two armed, Braid of haird over head, Ornaments like J#1 & Naga,PeacockFeathrSkirt Bahana:Padma/Lotus Jogini 6: Bruddhi/Kriya/Baruni Two armed, Braid of hair to d left of head, Standing in samabhanga pose Bahana:Taranga/LinesOfWaves Jogini 7: Ajita/Gauri/Kshemankari Four armed,Braid of hair over head,Girdgle,necklace,armlet,anklet,Sambhanga pose Bahana:Kumbhira/Alligator Jogini 8: Aindri/Indrani Two armed, Braid of hair, Pratyalidha pose Bahana:Haati/Elephant Jogini 9: Barahi Four armed, face is of boar, ornaments like Jogini#1 with mukuta & kirita, holds skullcup & bow Bahana:Mainshi/Buffalo Jogini 10: Ranabira/Padmabati Two armed, fierce looking, braid of hair, wearing alaka & garland of skull, holding sword Bahana:Saapa/Snake Jogini 11: Murati/Ostragreeba/Ostrarudha Four armed, monkey faced, standing in dwibhanga pose Bahana:Ota/Camel Jogini 12: Baishnabi Two armed, graceful face, curly hair, sarpa mukuta over head, some ornaments Bahana:Garuda/GarudaBird Jogini 13: Birupa/Kalaratri/Panchabarahi Two armed, graceful,smiling,beautiful braid over head, standing in tribhanga pose Bahana:Barha/Boar Jogini 14: Badyaroopa Two armed, braid of hair over her head, standing in dwibhanga pose Bahana:Dhola/Drum Jogini 15: Charcchika Two armed, standing in tribhanga Bahana:Male having curly hair, holding stem of lotus in right hand, dagger on waist Jogini 16: Marjari/Betali Four armed, braid of hair over head, garland of skull,ornament like J#1,standing in samabhanga Bahana:Machha/Fish Jogini 17:Chhinnamastaka Four armed,braid of hair over head,holds bow in lower left hand,standing in dwibhanga Bahana: KataMunda/SeveredHead Jogini 18: Brushabhanana/BindhyaBasini Two armed, face of buffalo, fierce look, disheveled hair Bahana: GharaORGumpha/HouseORCave Jogini 19: Jalakamini Two armed, beautiful braid of hair to d right of head, decorative waist ornaments, tribhanga pose Bahana: Benga/Frog Jogini 20: Ghatabara Two armed, terrific figure, lifts an elephant & hide over her head. Bahana: Sinha/Lion Jogini 21: Bikarali/Kakarali Two armed, graceful, braid of hair, right foot held by both hand&placed on left thigh Bahana: Kukura/Dog Jogini 22: Saraswati Four armed,with moustache,4m shoulder a tumuru(musical instrument) is hanging,braid of hair ovr head Bahana:Saapa/Snake Jogini 23: Birupa Two armed,braid of hair over head, standing in dwibhanga pose Bahana:TarangaMala/Waves Jogini 24:Kauberi Two armed,braid of hair, mukuta, kirita on head,bejeweled girdle,dancing pose Bahana:RatnaKalasha & fullblown Padma(lotus) Jogini 25:Barahi/Bhalluka Two armed,boar faced,raised hair,ornaments & damaru on right hand, jata mandala hair Bahana:PadmaLata/LotusCreeper Jogini 26:Narasinhi/Sinhamukhi Four armed,lion faced,raised curly hair,pot like on lower hands Bahana:PanchaPushpaLata/5 flowers with leaves Jogini 27:Biraja Two armed,graceful,braid of hair to right of head,standing in dwibhanga pose Bahana:PadmaKoraka/LotusBud with leaves Jogini 28:Bikatanana Two armed,furious with protruding lips,curling matted hair over head, sarpa mukuta type of hair style Bahana: [BROKEN] Jogini 29:Mahalakshmi Two armed,beautiful,garland of snakes,holds bajra & shield,braidofhair to right Bahana: PurnaPadmaPhula/FullBlownLotus Jogini 30:Kaumari Two armed,graceful,akshamala on rightarm,shield on left hand,standing in dwibhangaPose,hair to right Bahana:Mayura/Peacock JOGINI 31:MAHAMAYA TEN ARMED, BEAUTIFUL, BIGGER THAN REST OF JOGINIS.(details in pic) BAHANA: PURNA PADMA PHULA/FULL BLOWN LOTUS
Jogini 32:Usha/Rati Two armed,furious,raised curling hair,standing in bent knee pose, Bahana:Archer with bow and arrow, quiver on shoulder Jogini 33:Karkari Two armed,graceful,braid of hair to left of head,head & ear ornaments etc,standing in tribhanga pose Bahana:Kankada/Crab Jogini 34:Sarpasha/Chittala Four armed,Snake faced, some ornaments,standing in dwibhanga pose Bahana:[BROKEN] Jogini 35:Jashaa Two armed,kirita & mukuta over head,standing in tribhanga pose Bahana:Chhota Meja/Small table with 4 legs Jogini 36:Aghoraa/Baibaswati Two armed,furious,bulding eyes,raised hair,standing in dwibhanga pose Bahana:Horned goat like animal Jogini 37:Bhadrakali/Rudrakali Two armed,braid of hair over head looks like flame,sword in right hand,designed clothes Bahana:Kaau/Crow Jogini 38:Matangi/Shitala/Bainayaki/Ganeshani Two armed,elephant faced potbelly figure,knot of matted hair over head Bahana:Gadha/Donkey Jogini 39:BindhyaBalini Two armed,braid of hair to rightof head,bow in left& bowstring&arrow in right hand,pratyalidha pose Bahana:Musha/Rat Jogini 40:Abhayaa/BiraKumari Four armed,beautiful,braid of hair like crown,raised upperhands,dancepose Bahana:KankadaBichaa/CrablikeScorpion Jogini 41:Maheswari Four armed,braid of hair to right of head with ornaments,standing dwibhanga pose Bahana:Shandha/Bull Jogini 42:Kamakshi/Ambika Four armed,braid of hair to right of head,lower hand lean against knees,damaru Bahana:Chakra&Neula/Wheels&Mongoose Jogini 43:Kamayani Two armed,ornaments,braid of hair to right of head,standing in dwibhanga pose Bahana:Kukuda/Cock Jogini 44;Ghatabari Two armed,curling hair over head with ornaments(karanda-mukuta),standing in dwibhanga pose Bahana:Sinha/Lion Jogini 45:Stutee Four armed,braid of hair to right of head with flower garland,mukuta Bahana:HaladiKathuaa/Pot for turmeric paste,FlowerVase Jogini 46:Kaali Two armed,braid of hair over head,holds trident,standing in dwibhanga pose Bahana:Male with Mukuta, kitrita on hand, 3 eyes Jogini 47:Uma Four armed,graceful,mukuta,kirita,jatamukuta,holds naga phasha in upper left hand,abhaya mudra Bahana:PadmaPhula/Lotus flowers Jogini 48:Narayani Two armed,sword in right hand,wears tiara on head,left hand on MadyaBhanda/WineKeg-Pedestral-Earthen pot with conical lid Jogini 49:Samudraa Two armed,braid of hair to left of head,tiara on head,ornaments on body Bahana:Shankha/Conch with two legs Jogini 50:Brahmaani Four armed,3faced,kirita &jatamukuta over head,paita(sacred thread),decorativeLion of left of pedestral Bahana:Bahi/Book Jogini 51:Jwalamukhi Two armed,ears r raised & long,long knots of matted hair hanging on both sides of head Bahana:Platform with 8legs Jogini 52:Aagneyi Two armed,with various ornaments,sword in the raised right hand,flames of fire surrounding her Bahana:Mendha/Sheep Jogini 53:Aditi Two armed,braid of hair over hand i.e. chingon on top,standing in samabhanga pose Bahana:Shuaa/Parrot Jogini 54:Chandrakanti Two armed,braid of hair to right of head,wearing ornaments,standing in dwibhanga pose Bahana:Khata/Cot with 4legs Jogini 55:Bayubegaa Two armed,braid of hair(chingon),wearing ornaments,standing in dwibhanga pose Bahana:ChamariGaai/FemaleYak Jogini 56:Chamunda Four armed,garland of skull,holding a lion in upper 2hands,katari&severed head in lowerhands Bahana:KasturiMruga/MuskDeer Jogini 57:MuraaTi Two armed,braid of hair over head like flames,wearing ornaments,standing in tribhanga pose Bahana:SingalaHarina/HornedDeer Jogini 58:Ganga Four armed,braid of hair(chingon),holds petiole full lotus in upper right hand & nagapasa in lower left hand Bahana:Makara Jogini 59:Dhumabati/Tarini Two armed,braid of hair over head,holds winnoing fan in both her hands, standing in samabhanga Bahana:Bataka/Duck Jogini 60:Gandhari Two armed,braid of hair to left of head,a kadamba tree in background Bahana:Animal like a Donkey or Horse Jogini 61: SarbaMangala [IDOL IS MISSING] Jogini 62:Ajitaa Four armed,braid of hair over head lokking like flames,standing in dancing & tribhanga pose Bahana:Harina/Stag Jogini 63:SurjyaPutri Four armed,graceful,kirita over head,holds bow&arrow & is seen plucking arrow 4m quiver Bahana:Ghoda/GallopingHorse Jogini 64:BayuBeena Two armed,braid of hair to right of head,wearing ornaments,dancing pose Bahana:KrushnasaraMruga/BlackBuck & 2flowervases There is a big pond in front of the temple called as "Mahamaya Gaadia(pond)" named after the main Goddess "Mahamaya" among the 64 Joginis.
The temple-like structure at the centre of the pond is called “DipiDaandi”. Please have a look at the below pic to know why the name is like this.
