Maa Biraja: The Divine Shakti and Her Sacred Ratha Yatra

Among the famous Shakti Peethas in India, Maa Biraja holds a prominent place. She has been worshipped since ancient times under various names such as Adishakti, Shakti Swaroopini, Adimata, and Srishti Devi. At this sacred site, there is a harmonious presence of Matru Shakti (Motherly Power), Tantra Shakti, Vaishnava Shakti, Shaiva Shakti, and other divine forces from different traditions.

Maa Biraja, revered across the world, is truly Shakti Swaroopini Maa Durga. At this sacred site, Maa Durga is revered in her unique two-armed form, known as Dwibhuja Durga. In one hand, she holds a trident (trishul), and in the other, she grasps the tail of Mahishasura, symbolizing her victory over evil.

Maa Biraja’s Ratha Yatra is held every year, beginning on the first day of Navaratri (Pratipada Tithi of Ashwina Shukla Paksha) and continuing until Mahanavami. For nine days, Maa Jagat Janani travels in her chariot, circumambulating the temple and blessing devotees and pilgrims with her divine darshan. This yatra is called Vijaya Rathayatra. 

The Belabarana festival marks the beginning of the construction of the Devi’s chariot and starts on the day of Sunia. On Mulashtami (also known as Dwitiya Osha or Ashwina Krishna Ashtami), during the evening, the rituals of Maa Biraja’s Ghatasthapana, Mahasnana, and the Shodashopachara Puja (a 16-day worship ritual) begin.

On Mahalaya Amavasya (Ashwina Amavasya), the sacred ritual of Maa's Rathadhivasa takes place. The following day, on Pratipada, the Ratha Pratishtha (consecration of the chariot) and the Ratharohan (installation) of the Chalti Pratima (mobile idol) of Maa Biraja are performed for the nine-day journey.

Seated on this divine chariot, Maa circumambulates the temple each day, blessing devotees with her darshan. The Ratha Yatra of Adishakti Maa Biraja begins every year on the Pratipada Tithi of Ashwina Shukla Paksha and continues until Mahanavami.

This sacred chariot is called ‘Singhadhwaja’. It stands at a height of 45 cubits and 12 angulas and is supported by 12 wheels. According to tradition, the charioteer is Lord Brahma, the protector of the chariot is Mahamaya, and the spiritual power behind the chariot is Brahmacharini.

Two horses, depicted in a running posture, are fixed at the front of the chariot. Two sacred ropes named Swarnachuda and Shankhachuda are attached to guide the ratha. In the afternoon, Maa Biraja’s Bije Pratima, known as ‘Ashadanda’, is seated on the chariot, which then performs a parikrama (circumambulation) of the temple.

This ritual is repeated daily for nine days, up to Mahanavami, with the temple being circumambulated nine times in total. At midnight on the final day, the Bije Pratima descends from the chariot, and after the Lakhabindha ritual is completed, it is ceremoniously taken back into the temple for repose.