The Bankabasuli Temple sits undisturbed and unoccupied in the rural setting of the Bhadrak District in Odisha, India. It is dedicated to Goddess Bankabasuli, and draws many devoted pilgrims to visit the temple every year. Despite being removed from the commotion of urban life, the temple is constantly inhabited by daily prayer and age-old tradition. Like many other places of worship, these pilgrims find peace and experience culture without a single word.
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ToggleThe shrine is contained in stone walls and worships the Goddess Bankabasuli, who is viewed by many here as a powerful protective force. Most visitors leave the shrine after praying and feeling lighter (generally the case with prayer), and many feel as though they are somehow protected from the troubles they are experiencing or have anticipated. Villagers express their wishes at the shrine at dawn, believing that she hears those wishes.
During festive occasions, a much deeper chant accompanies a celebration with more traditional roots. When large Hindu celebrations occur, the voices rise in unison, causing former corners of the temple to come alive. Crowds appear as if by the natural flow of the ocean, attracted to the rhythm rather than any prior agreement.
The environment and surrounding area of the Bankabasuli Temple is peaceful. The trees are very close together, creating a quiet atmosphere and also a very large space to walk through. As you walk through the grounds, the sunlight creates a soft glow around the stone. Praying at this temple feels like an extension of your breathing, like inhaling deeply on a clear summer day, or finding tranquillity within yourself.
This place is alive with energy when it hosts a festival! You can feel the energy of the crowd and the movement of people lifting up the well-worn paths around the Bhadrak temple as people celebrate Durga Puja or Basanti Puja. The ground is filled with the sights and sounds of ritualistic pujas, each one followed by group of people chanting Chandi Patha, until the very last moment has been reached. Once the festivities begin, the site goes from very quiet to a cacophony of people.
