Shakti Peeth,Maa Mangala of Kakatpur

Maa refer to mother who take care of everything about her children.Supremacy of power lies on the strong thought and powerful voice  to control the vibrancy of different angle of life. This divinity aura is internally connected with Shaktipeeth of each and every location . This is how it attract the attention of devotees to pay a visit to get a power of internal strength . 

Without any second thought I planned to visit there as a solo traveller. Exploration of place is possible with strong passion and power to overcome the difficulties. With prior collection of information regarding the details of location and transport facilities I moved from Puri on 21st June 2022 at 6.30am. It's always good to take benefit of local transport for getting to know regarding the language,culture and behaviour of common local people. This is the best way to observe from their spontaneous life trend at public areas. 

Amidst loud noise,rush of crowd made it clear that the hurries of travellers at the bus depot.From my brief queries with the person I came to know the brief details about kakatpur temple timings. The destination is required to travel around 3hours. The distance between Puri to Kakatpur is 55km. Though the temple is situated just at the main road of the place so it's easy to locate the temple just for any new comer as like me. 

The first glance of the temple give ideas about the importance of Utkaliya temple architecture. Beautifully adorned with vibrant colors on the walls of temple. It is believed that the temple has built around 15th century but the arrival of Maa on the statutory form is around 9th century. The legends has related to Ramayan and the exploration of Maa Mangala has come to limelight in a different way.  It's all explained in details in a statement of local tales . Temple is just near the Prachi river. Once over pouring water on the body of river ,local boatmen unable to cross the river.  A boatman at the rainy time find it difficult to move his boat even after a long trial . At the same night he got dream to save a statue of Maa from the exact point of where his boat stocked in the mid point of Prachi river. The explosion of dream helped him to save the idol of Maa Mangala .The existence of Shakti peetha is symbolically embodiment of love of loyalty and revival of internal power. 

The surrounding of temple is very sanctified and maintained well by the temple authority. Offerings are a minimum rituals by the regular devotees. The priests of temple maintain their graceful attitude for each devotees and visitors. The common wish of each and everyone are to get relief from problems of life. 

The God represents as a form of omnipresent.  Her glory is stood for love,ferocity and devotion.The uniform  purpose of prayer is saving from all evils .

We should understand the point of visiting a Shakti peetha. The feminist power is vibrated there to energize the soul with positive feelings.  One has that capacity to accumulate the positive power from supreme authority.  One should develop internally to maintain the high spiritual sense. So,its a matter of high density where one can reach with sincere meditation and prayer. 

One important part of the place is directly linked with the rituals of Jagganath culture. On every Navakalebara time priests from temple of Jagganath dham come here to pray at Maa Mangala  for  blessings and indication regarding the location of devotional Daru brahma for the making Idols of Balabhadra,Jagganath and Maa Subhadra.

Jhamu Yatra is a significant part of Mangala shrine. Large numbers gather here to have a glance of that yatra. 

To protect the human existence in this universe, this supreme power always stand for the purpose of true benevolent for all. We ,as a surviving creature understand the importance of the facts.  The presence of natural Environment around each Shakti peeta give direct message for keeping the balance of nature who help in the mainstream of living being in this earth. 

 The focus point is that to maintain the ability to master oneself. Undoubtedly so many positive thoughts are directly giving messages for peaceful life and power to carry the best part in a most meaningful way. 

The opening time of temple is fixed for every day. It may remain closed for few hours at afternoon . Interested devotees may take prasad from the premises of temple after 11am.Priests are very cooperative for any form of help.

The visit is a great challenge and definitely get satisfaction from the fact of getting darshan of Maa .

Important Note to follow-

Regular transport is available from Puri.

Time of local bus is fixed.

Take your water bottle and fruits for safe side.

Try to visit in the morning hour. Rush is less.

No compulsion is there for offerings. It depends on the interests of devotees. 

Avoid photography in the inner circle of the temple.

Keep only one day for visiting Kakatpur from Puri. 

Sapna Acharya

Blogger 

DEULI MATH,A SACRED PLACE @KAKATPUR

Deuli Math is a place of serenity and linked with a traditional rituals with the Jagganath temple of Puri. The math has situated almost more than 2km. from Kakatpur,Odisha. The surrounding location is full of greenery and beautiful views . The importance lies on its holiness and devotion of Jagganath culture. The existence  of Prachi river near the math double the beauty of the place. Once it was the lifeline of locals for the regular use of water for every activites of life. Now,the situation is different. Due to negligence and changes in circumstances of climate and environment the present conditions of the river is very pathetic. It needs to renovate and cleaning of river. People nearby places should get awareness for keeping the condition of river in a well manner. Otherwise one day time will come Prachi River will vanish from its existence. 

So far as the importance of Deuli math is that it has been related to the divinity work of Lord Jagganath . The priests of Jagganath temple come to stay here during Navkalebar time to pray Maa Mangala for getting significant information about the status of availability of divine wood for Daru Brahma of Lords. 

Even though the math has it's own importance since long still public visit here for  conducting marriage ceremony and mundan rituals of child. Now it has supervised under otdc for smooth functioning of the system. 

Prachi River near Deuli Math.

Entrance Gate of Deuli Math.

The surrounding areas of Deuli Math.

Till now the traditional rituals of temples are observing in a systematic way.  One eye catching matter is that every year at the time of Annasara of Lords ,this matha take responsibility of sending organic fruits like mango,banana,coconut,pineapple,jackfruit etc  through a handmade bamboo basket by Bullock cart. Neither they use any modern amenities for quick  transport for such a long route. They travel by Bullock cart and few followers come by praying Gods name.Even they donot use foot wear at the time of walking. 

This devotion for Lords and the rituals of our culture is so magnetic that one can feel the depthness of pure religious facts by direct visual of the facts. 

When I went there for a short visit then I internally get emotional and feel to keep these all inside my soul for betterment. When I asked them the way they all conduct for the traditional rituals their honest and hardwork shows the strong bondage with the culture of their own. That's why even in every difficult situation people of Odisha are  stand apart throughout world for their belief and simplicity, hard work.No matter how the time changes but it's their own way of thinking process and regards to the value of religious beliefs of Sanatan Dharma.

Sapna Acharya

Blogger 

Social Activist