The Mausima temple is located at the midpoint of the Bada Danda (Grand Road) in Puri. This small temple is dedicated to Goddess Ardhashini. Mausi Maa meaning Mausi means ‘Aunt’ (mother’s sister) and ‘Maa’ means mother.
According to Jagannath mythology, there is a story where Goddess Lakshmi Devi temporarily left Shri Mandira, causing Jagannath and Balabhadra to face poverty and had to go out for begging. During that time, while Jagannath and Balabhadra were out begging, Subhadra Devi stayed with her Mausi Maa.
Mausi Maa, also known as Ardhasini, holds a significant role. In the Vaisanava Kanda of the Skanda Purana, it is mentioned that Goddess Ardhashosini consumed half of the seawater that flooded Puri Jagannath Temple. Alongside Kapalamochana Shiva, Goddess Ardhashosini serves as the protector of the revered Shree Kshetra.
The Mausi Maa temple holds a close connection with the Rath Yatra or Chariot Festival. Mausima Maa temple is closely associated with the Rath Yatra of Sri Jagannath. According to the Rath Yatra rituals, during the Bahuda Jatra (the return car festival day), the chariots of Balabhadra and Subhadra are directly pulled to the Singha Dwara (Lion’s Gate of the Jagannath Temple). However, the chariot of Jagannath pauses in front of the Mausima temple for a brief moment. It is at this point that Lord Jagannath receives his favorite rice cake called ‘Poda Pitha’ made from lentils and rice from his aunt.
The temple faces south. The temple consists of a Rekha Vimana and a Pidha Jagamohana and a Nata Mandapa of the Kalingan order. The vimana is square in plan, two other structures are rectangular in plan. The vimana is Panchangabada in elevation and Pancharatha in plan. The Natamandapa is triratha in plan and Panchangabada in elevation. Udyota Simha are located in the central raha gandi.
The Temple was built in 14th century AD by Ganga Kings.
Photography is strictly prohibited and the entry is Free.
Puri Mausima Temple Timings: 6:30 AM to 10:00 PM
Festival Celebrated in Maa Ardhashini Temple
- Mahasaptami
- Mahanavami
- Makar Sankranti
- Vasant Panchami
- Shivaratri
- Holi
- Ram Navami
- Akshay Trutiya
- Rukmani Vivah
- Jagannath Rathyatra
- Vaman Jayanti
- Guru Purnima
- Raksha Bandhan
- Randhan Chatth
- Janmashtami
- Ganeshotsav / Ganesh Chaturthi
- Navratri
- Vijya Dashmi
- Valmiki Jayanti / Sharad Poonam
- Diwali
- Tulsi Vivah