Chaurasi Varahi Devi Temple or Varahi Deula is an ancient temple dedicated to Maa Varahi. The temple is located in the village of Chaurashi and on the right bank of the Prachi river, Odisha. It is about 2 km from Amaresvara temple on the Nimapada-Kakatpur road in the Puri district. The Chaurasi Varahi temple is unique among all Maa Vahari temples in India. The image consecrated in this temple is considered one of the masterpieces among the images of the deity found throughout India.
The deity who presides in this temple is the goddess Varahi, locally called Matsya Varahi. She is seated in lalitasana on a cushion placed on a flat platform with her right foot resting on the buffalo mount carved on the pedestal. She is presented as the goddess of the belly with the face of a boar with two arms and holds a fish in her right hand and a bowl in her left hand. A third eye is firmly engraved on her forehead. Here, Barahi is worshiped according to tantric rituals. Everyday fish is offered as prasad to Maa Varahi.
Maa Varahi Temple Timings:
Morning: 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM
Evening: 5:30 to 8:30 PM
Chaurasi Varahi Devi Temple History:
Chaurasi Varahi Devi Temple was built in honour of Varahi in the first quarter of 10th century A.D. during Somavamsi rule.
The temple faces east and is built of sandstone. Varahi is believed to be the Sakti of Varaha. In the Tantric text “Varahi Tantra”, five forms of Varahi are mentioned, namely Svapna Varahi, Canda Varahi, Mahi Varahi (Bhairavi), Kruccha Varahi and Matsya Varahi. The description of Matsya Varahi closely corresponds to the image consecrated in the temple.
The Varahi temple in Chaurasi is the most beautiful monument in the Prachi Valley. The main temple resembles the Khakhara style which belongs to the architecture of the Kingdom of Kalinga. This temple marks a significant departure from the usual tradition of the Rekha and Bhadra type and presents a new style which, according to Orissan’s nomenclature, is of the Khakhara or Gaurichara variety.
Chaurasi Maa Varahi Temple Address:
Chaurashi,
Puri District,
Odisha – 752120.