🌿✨ Sata Gachhiya Peetha – The Sacred Seat of the Seven Sisters ✨🌿

On the road from Jharsuguda to Sambalpur, near Khinda Chhak, there is an ancient and revered Shakti Peetha known as Sata Gachhiya. Located about 18 km from Jharsuguda and roughly 35 km from Sambalpur, this sacred site gets its name from seven large trees standing together — “Sata Gachhiya” literally means “the place of seven trees.”

Local tradition holds that these seven trees are home to seven sister goddesses, who have been worshipped here for generations. Among them, the principal deity is Banadurga, whose black granite idol was brought from the ancient Banadurga Temple of Rampela village, now submerged under the waters of the Hirakud Reservoir.

At Sata Gachhiya, devotees worship ten aspects of the goddess — seven Katyayanis and three Rannachandis. It is believed that Banadurga first manifested herself at this very spot, and later, a temple was built in Lapanga village, where she is relocated and worshipped as Ramchandi.

During the annual Bali Jatra, a deeply symbolic ritual takes place. A chosen villager (Kalasha, representing the living spirit of the goddess) is ritually awakened on a sacred platform (Vedi) beside the Bandurga temple, allowing the divine power to enter him. After this, villagers leads a procession around the village, spreading the blessings of the goddess. Before the main worship begins at the Navadurga Temple, Priest first worship on vedi.

History and folklore tell us that Veer Surendra, a legendary local hero, would always stop at Sata Gachhiya to seek the blessings of the goddess before traveling on horseback to Sambalpur. Near the temple, there was once a secret tunnel (Gupta Suranga) that connected all the way to Urguna Hill in Sambalpur, now known as Budha Raja Pahad.

Blessed by the goddess’s divine grace, Veer Surendra is said to have gained immense strength and fought his enemies fearlessly.

Another story tells of Raghunath Mahanty the then Tahsildar of Rengali, who once visited Khinda. On his journey, the goddess appeared to him and said:

> " You give shelter to everyone; will you not give me a place too?" Through this divine plea, the goddess requested land to remain permanently at Sata Gachhiya, which she has ever since.

Modern scientific studies estimate that these sacred seven trees may be over 1,200 years old, making them silent witnesses to countless prayers, legends, and rituals.

A Yajna Mandap (ritual hall) has been built at the site. Since 1993, daily rituals and special ceremonies have been conducted by Pandit Biswajit Nanda Sharma. Each year, during the months of Ashwina and Chaitra, grand Homa Yajnas are organized, including: Vishwashanti , Gita, Chandi, Rudri 

These ceremonies attract hundreds of devotees seeking blessings, spiritual peace, and fulfillment of wishes.

The sacred energy of Sata Gachhiya Peetha continues to inspire countless devotees. Beyond being a religious site, it is a living symbol of faith, history, and the deep bond between nature and spirituality.

In the shade of these ancient trees, the legends of the seven sister goddesses live on — keeping the cultural and spiritual spirit of Western Odisha alive for generations to come.

Location:- https://maps.app.goo.gl/xsCE5xPTwAcUa5Y86