Bhattarika temple, sanctuary in Kumbharbandh, Jharsuguda

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Jharsuguda is an eminent mineral and industrial prosperous district In Odisha. The industrialized  Jharsuguda city has numerous naturalistic and virtuous sites.  But owing to scarcity of public englightment , they inaccessible to masses. Its evidence that the Ashtachandi Peeth in Jharsuguda remains unexplored. These are Rampur (Brajrajnagar) Sri Ramchandi Cave Temple, Padmapur (Pujharipalli) Sri Padmasini Temple, Kolabira goddess Bhubaneswar Temple, Chandarpur Sri Kalika Temple, Dhuturagarh Devi Peeth, Jharsuguda Sri Kanak Durga temple, Bandurga Peetha of Kuaramal and Bhattarika temple of Kumbharbandh. Among the above mentioned Shakti Peethas, Sri Bhattarika Temple is one of the most prominent Shakti Peeth. 

Kumarbandh is a pristine village , about 40 km from the Jharsuguda district headquarters. Previously, many potters inhabited in the village and constructed many dams or ponds, Perhaps this is why the village is called Kumbharbandh. The village is inhabited by the families of Yatukarna Gotriya Aranyak Brahmin community. Their presiding goddess bhattraika is being worshipped by setting up a temple atop the hill on the outskirts of the village. 

( Bhattarika Temple )


History

An analysis of the Shrine reveals that 'Maharshi Agastya' who resided in Dandakaranya forest was the ancestor of the Yatukarna Gotria Brahmins. A descendant of the Yatukarna, Vishnu Sharman Panda revered the Surya Bhattarika as a presiding goddess located on the banks of the river Mahanadi in boudh kingdom.  Earlier, Vishnu Sharman Panda used to perform Havan for day to day nurture. Eventually, he reached Sambalpur at the invitation of Sambalpur's king. His wife impregnated while They were abiding in Sambalpur. He passed away abruptly during the gestation period of his wife. The helpless widow's wife took refuge in the hut of dayanidhi kumbhar's family, a resident of a village named smalaitikra to the west of Kumbharband village. A son was delivered from the womb of a Brahmin within a few months. Brahmani's son matured and gained popularity as 'Aitha' Panda. 

King Gangeya Dev of the Dahal Kalachuri dynasty of India invaded the kingdom of King jajati Mahashivagupta (II) of the Somabansi dynasty of Utkal in the middle of the eleventh century AD. The feudal kingdom of King gangeya, such as Tumman and Tripuri were united in the battle. Kamal Raj, king of the Tumman kingdom in southern Kosala, was general of both the Tumman and Tripuri armies. The feudal kingdoms of Gangeya Deva attacked the Koshal section of the Somabansi dynasty king Jajati of Utkal and took possession of the Koshal piece. They dedicated the lands and innumerable elephants gained in the war to King Gangeya Dev. 

After the death of his father Gangeya Dev, his son Mughadhatung was anointed on the throne.  Corresponding to his father, he invaded the empire of Yayati Shivagupta (II), the Somavanshi king of Utkal, and was capable to conquer many areas of the coast. Several gold coins of the Kalachuri regime have been recuperated in the Badambar Mahanadi basin, which perhaps accepted as vindication of the occurrence.   The ancient Shakti peeth on the banks of the Badambar Mahanadi is assumed to have been erected by the Mugdhatung, a Kalachuri dynasty king of Tripura.  He was a great devotee of Goddess and also organized priest for the revere of Goddess Bhattrika in the temple. The feudal kings of the Bhumkar and Sombansa dynasties adored the goddess Bhattarika as their presiding goddess at  Shakti Peeth and acquired the sobriquet of 'parama bhattarika'.  

Consequently, the descendants of the Yatukarna Gotriya Aranya Brahmins of Dandakaranya traversed the Badam, Buddhism, Sambalpur, and entered this unfamiliar village kumbharbandh.  Hence, his son and grandson were born, the lineage expanded. These  Brahmins of 'Panda' surname used to worship the idol of their ancestor the goddess Bhattarika in their house. 

( Entry gate )


Construction

After several years of endeavour of villagers, the then chairman of the lakhanpur block Shri Giridhari Panda initiated the construction of the temple. The ' Bhumi Pujan ' was performed in 1955 and the foundation stone was laid by the late Rabindra Kumar Panda.  A novel temple was established in 1933 on the hillock to the east of kumbharbandh village.  It needed 12 years to finalize the temple.  The temple is raised in a modern style.  The marble idol inside the sanctum sanctorum of the temple faces north and squats on the lotus.  Temple was inaugurated on 14 April  1994.  However, the Panda Brahmin community also provided the necessary funds for the construction of the temple. Girdhari Panda and Sanjeev Panda are the chairpersons and editors of the temple  operational committee respectively. Furthermore, the Panda family has contributed about 2 acres of land from Izhmaili in Jharmunda village for the service of the temple. The Shiva temple in the east and the Shree Hanuman temple in the west have been established independently.  Purnachandra Das,  a descendant of Utkaliya Bharadwaj Gothriya Brahmin Chintamani Das, a resident of Kumarbandha, has been serving as a worshiper of the Bhattarika temple for the past few years. 

( Goddess Bhattarika )


Worship and festival

Goddess venerated is accomplished every day from 9 am to 11 am and from 5 pm to 6 pm in the Shrine of Kumharbandh. The 'Sunabesa' of Goddess Bhattarika is observed every Tuesday. The particular adoration ceremony of the goddess is conducted at the temple  from krushna pakhsa amabasya  to purnima. Furthermore,  'Chandi path puja' is performed at the Bhattarika temple on the Purina of Chaitra Month. The 'Chaitra Mela' fair is organised here. Thousands of adorers from the encircling villages congregate at the fair. The peculiarity of the shrine is that animal sacrifices are not offered here. The environment of the temple captivating everyone and the quiet atmosphere fascinate the visitant. 

Magistral goddess  Bhattarika of the sanctuary is efficacious. The goddess takes off the misery of the devotees and accomplishes their aspirations.  So the devotees from far and wide have come to this place because of the deep reverence and unwavering faith on the goddess. The ' Brata' of the Brahmin community is performed at the various season of the year in the vicinity of the temple. 

How to get there

The blessings of Goddess Bhattarika fulfil the aspirations of the devotees.  So remember to visit the temple and get the blessing.  Kumharbandh village is situated about 40 km from Jharsuguda district.  Mother Bhattarika's temple is located on a hillock. A  Few buses goes every day from Jharsuguda bus stand to Kumbarbandh. Otherwise,  you can hire a car in Jharsuguda city or visit the temple in your car and bicycle. 


       -:(Thank you for your attention):-

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Written by :- Rohit Kumar Lohara
                       Purunabasti, Jharsuguda


Input frfr :- Govind Chandra Tripathy
                       Purunabasti, Jharsuguda
Kumbharband Ra saktipeetha bhhatarika mandir


Location of Bhhatarika Temple provided below, check it out




Location: Unnamed Road, Kumbharbandh, Odisha 768234, India

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