Maa Mangala Temple is located at Kakatpur, Odisha, India. It is one of the most visited temples in Odisha where hundreds of devotees visit every year. Maa Mangala Temple is situated 21 km away from Konark. It is a Hindu temple at Kakatpur, Puri district, Odisha. The temple is also known as “Sarba Mangala Mandir” and “Bata Mangala Temple”. It is one of the most renowned Shakti Peethas in Odisha and one of the famous places to visit in Konark.
Goddess Mangala is the presiding deity of this temple. The temple was built in the 15th century and is an ancient symbol of Kalinga. As per legand, Goddess Mangala kept herself hidden under the waters of River Prachi. One day a boatman was unable to cross the river in full spate when Maa Mangala told him in a dream to recover her from the middle of the river and establish her in the village of Mangalapur. He did so and established the idol and built the temple. Later, the boatman saw a crow dived at the exact spot in the river and never came out.
The name Kakatpur indicates this as crow means ‘Kaka’ and ‘atka’ means detained, hence the name Kakatpur.
Top Things to Do at Maa Mangala Temple:
Following are some very important as well as interesting things that visitors can do when they visit Maa Mangala Temple at Kakatpur –
1. Pilgrimage/Prayer:
Maa Mangala Temple is a major pilgrimage for devotees of the Shakti cult. Pilgrims visit frequently the temple to get blessings from goddess Maa Mangala. There is a bed made of solid stone on which it is said Maa Mangala rests after touring the entire universe every day. Visit to Maa Mangala Temple unfolds a lot of similar incidences about the goddesses. The bed looks worn out in just the same way if it had been used for centuries.
2. Knowledge Tour:
A visit to this temple can be looked upon as the capturing of knowledge of the past, especially of the puranas and Vedas. As usually thought, all this is not a myth but the past. Knowing about ancient India and its achievements even so long ago is a real inspiration. Many studious visitors try to explore more facts and figures from such places.
Kakatpur Mangala Temple has a close relation with Lord Jagannath Temple of Puri during the Navakalebara festival. Old deities are buried under the earth and new idols are created with sacred wood known as “Daru Brahma”. As per tradition, the priests of Jagannath Temple come to Kakatpur Mangala Temple to pray to the goddess to give them divine guidance to find the sacred wood.
The priest sleeps in front of the goddess and then the goddess in his dream, tells the exact location of the three sacred trees for the three deities. This custom is followed for years without any deviation.
3. Participate in Jhamu Yatra:
Jhamu Yatra is the most popular festival of Goddess Maa Mangala which falls on the first Tuesday of the Vaisakh every year. On this occasion, devotees collect water from River Prachi and pray to get her blessings. Then with the mud pot, filled with water on their shoulder, they can walk on the surface of a burning fire spread on a long channel on bare feet. Due to their faith in Goddess Mangala and Her blessings on them, the devotees are unhurt and uninjured while performing this custom. Every year, thousands of devotees come to Kakatpur to celebrate Jhamu festival.
4. Understand the Architecture of Maa Mangala Temple:
The architecture of Maa Mangala Temple reflects the traditional Orissan style of architecture, characterized by its tall shikhara and intricately carved stone carvings. The temple is built in the typical Kalinga style, symbolizing the ancient heritage of Kalinga.
The architecture of the temple is a typical example of the Utkaliya Peedha Vimana style, with carvings of Goddess Mangala in typical Orissan style, with Khilana and Prabha in her seat. The temple has a bed made of solid stone, on which Goddess Mangala is said to rest after touring the universe every day.
5. Study the Historical Significance:
Pilgrims and devotees visiting the temple seek boons from Maa Mangala. It is interesting to know that, it is said that Goddess Mangala takes a tour of the whole universe every day. That means the duty of Goddess Mangala is to ensure that things are in place. After the tour, she is said to rest on a stone bed only. This bed also indicates the status it has been used for centuries.
The devotees who really want to acquire knowledge on Lord Jagannath and Goddess Maa Sarba Mangala must read the book which is written by Raghunandan Panda, sebak of Maa Sarba Mangala. He was a teacher and belonged to Kakatpur. He has spent almost 25 years of his busy schedule doing research on Kakatpur Mangala. He has shared all his experiences in the form of his book which will enlighten the whole story. The book is available only in Kakatpur.
There also exist a lot of other fun activities that can be performed in and near Maa Mangala Temple which mostly depends on the season in which people visit the place.
1.Where is the temple of Maa Mangala situated?
The Maa Mangala Temple is situated in Kakatpur, Odisha, India.
2. Which festivals are celebrated at Maa Mangala Temple?
Jhamu Yatra and Dhanu Yatra festivals are celebrated at Maa Mangala Temple every year. Jhamu Yatra falls on the first Tuesday of Vaisakh and Dhanu Yatra is celebrated for eleven days of the month from the 5th day of the bright fortnight till the full moon day.
3. What is the connection of this temple with Jagannath Temple?
It is said that the sacred wood for the new idols of the three deities of Jagannath Temple is advised by Goddess Mangala as per ritual.
4. How to reach Maa Mangala Temple, Kakatpur?
Tourists can travel by road, train, or air to reach Kakatpur. They can get good connectivity from Konark to Kakatpur.
5. Which are nearby major places to Kakatpur?
Puri and Bhubaneswar are two major cities nearest to Kakatpur where tourists can purchase traditional Odia handicrafts like Pattachitra paintings and silver filigree jewelry.
