Kalijai is situated on Chilika Island.It is about 18 km away from Balugaon in south east direction. It is a very popular tourist place in Odisha. Kalijai means Kali, The Goddess Kali and Jai, The name of a girl from the village of BanPur. Goddess Kalijai is actually Kali, the first 'Mahavidya' of 'Dasmahavidyas'. Highly revered by the local residents, the deity has been worshipped in the local folklores and legends.
Legend of Kalijai:
The temple is a classic case where the legend encompass the history.The alluring setting of the temple was the source of inspiration for one of the most outstanding Odia literary works,Pt Godabarish Misra's epic poem "Kalijai".Pt. Mishra's articulate illustration of a newly married girl named "Jaai" who was going with her father to meet her husband. As her in-law's house was on an island in Chilika Lake (Parikud island). They had to take a boat to ferry them across the lake and during this boat trip they came across a violent storm. The boat which was carrying her and her father,capsized. Jaai drowned but not before her prayers to Goddess Kali were answered in the form of saving everyone else in the boat survived this event except her. They searched for her but were unable to find her. Recognising the young girls sacrifice, the villagers built a temple dedicated to goddess Kali,and till now,she worshipped as an EXCERPT of Kali.
The poet’s imagination and the richness of the verses caught the imagination of the people so much so, that it has become the very identity of the temple today.
History of Kalijai:
The history of Kalijai Temple is equally interesting although little known. The book “History of Parikud” published in 1930 by Dr. Radha Charan Panda states that the temple was built by Sri Jagannath Mansingh, the king of Bankad(currently named as BanPur)in the year 1717.
In the year 1779, King Harisevak Mansingh took refuge in Parikud after being defeated by the King of Khurda. After a pause, Harisevak Mansingh’s son, the crowned King of Bankadgarh Bhagirathi Mansingh was also attacked by the King of Khurda.
Facing the defeat the king visited the temple and surrendered himself to the Goddess Kali and asked for her protection. As the winter was setting in,a huge flock of flamingo’s arrived at the lake and the army of King of Khurda mistook them for huge battalion of army assembled by the King Bhagirathi Mansingh and left the place. The locals believed that the goddess made the King conquering the battle(Jai) hence she was named as Kalijai.
Festival:
Festival such as MAKAR SANKRANTI is celebrated with a huge gala fair,every year in January.
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