ॐ
Maa Bhagabati Temple, Banapur
Bhagabati (Devi) • Banapur, Khordha, Odisha
॥ ॐ दुं दुर्गायै नमः ॥
Maa Bhagabati of Banapur is an old Shakti shrine in Khordha district, set near the northern edge of Chilika Lake. The goddess is worshipped through a finely worked image, and her temple remains a focus of regional Devi devotion, especially during Navaratri and Dussehra.
The goddess of Banapur
At Banapur the Devi is worshipped as Bhagabati, the gracious mother who watches over the town and the surrounding country. Her shrine is counted among the older Shakti seats of the region, sustained by generations of local devotion.
The presiding image of the goddess is noted for its fine workmanship, and it is to this murti that pilgrims address their prayers and offerings through the year.
On the edge of Chilika
Banapur lies near the northern edge of Chilika Lake, the great brackish lagoon of coastal Odisha. The nearness of the water gives the temple town a distinct setting, where the Shakti shrine sits within one of the state’s most striking landscapes.
This location ties the goddess to the life of the Chilika region, and many who travel to see the lake also come to take darshan of Maa Bhagabati.
Worship and festivals
The main observances at the temple fall in the Navaratri and Dussehra season, when the goddess receives her fullest worship and the community gathers for the festival. These autumn days mark the busiest time at the shrine.
Beyond the festival the temple keeps its ordinary round of daily worship, with local devotees offering prayers to the Mother as part of the steady devotional life of Banapur.
A regional Devi seat
Maa Bhagabati stands among the goddesses that give Khordha district and the wider Chilika region their Shakti character. Her shrine is a meaningful destination for those following the Devi tradition of coastal Odisha.
For pilgrims, the temple offers both an act of worship and the quiet of a setting near the great lagoon, a combination that lends the visit its particular appeal.
- Old Shakti shrine with a finely worked image of the goddess
- Set near the northern edge of Chilika Lake in Khordha district
- Navaratri and Dussehra are the main observances
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Maa Bhagabati of Banapur?
Maa Bhagabati is the presiding goddess of Banapur, an old Shakti shrine in Khordha district, Odisha. She is worshipped through a finely worked image and is a focus of regional Devi devotion.
Where is the Bhagabati Temple located?
The temple is at Banapur in Khordha district, near the northern edge of Chilika Lake in coastal Odisha. Its setting near the lagoon gives it a distinctive character.
What is special about the temple’s image of the goddess?
The presiding image of Maa Bhagabati is noted for its fine workmanship. It is the central focus of worship at the Banapur shrine.
What festivals are celebrated at the Bhagabati Temple?
The main festivals are Navaratri and Dussehra in autumn, when the goddess receives her fullest worship. The community gathers for celebration during this season.
Is the temple near Chilika Lake worth combining with a lake visit?
Yes, Banapur sits near the northern edge of Chilika Lake, so the temple is easily combined with a visit to the lagoon. Many travellers to Chilika also come to take darshan of Maa Bhagabati.
In which district is the Banapur Bhagabati Temple?
The temple is in Khordha district of Odisha. Banapur lies in the coastal belt near Chilika Lake.
॥ जय माता दी ॥ • Bhaktiras.net Temple Guide
| Deity | Bhagabati (Devi) |
| Location | Banapur, Khordha |
| Near | Chilika Lake (north edge) |
| State | Odisha |
| Region | Coastal Odisha |
| Tradition | Shakti worship |
| Main festival | Navaratri / Dussehra |