Hingula Yatra is one of the major festivals of Odisha. This is also called Patua Yatra. This is the annual journey to the Goddess Hingula Temple, which is situated near the bank of the Simhada River.
The same Goddess of Hingula devi is worshiped at Assam at the pilgrimage of Jwalamukhi and Pakistan Karachi. It is one of the major festivals of Angul. The temple is a Shakti Peeth of Odisha. It is believed that Maa hingula is the fire of Lord Jagannath’s kitchen.
And Gopal Prasad, where Hingula temple is located is the place of worship. And Lord Jagannath’s kitchen in Jagannath Mandir is her workplace. Every year on the day of Hingula Yatra goddess takes leave from Jagannath temple in a procession and comes to Hingula temple. “Kuteisuni” and “Karadei” are both associates of Devi Hingula and are worshiped here.
This is organized on Krishna paksha of Chaitra Month (March-April) on the day of Vishuva Damanaka Sankranti. It is believed that Goddesses come in the form of Agni in the time of Hingula Yatra to give darshan. And it is continuing for nine days. This is a pure blending of mythology, traditions, and devotion. Rath Yatra and Hingula Yatra are very similar. Every year thousands of devotees come to join the festival.
History of Hingula Yatra
Devi Hingula is also known as the Goddess of Fire. It is to be said that Maa Hingula is a form of Maa Parvati. She took the form of fire to murder Mahisasura. It is also said that Maa hingula devi is the fire of Lord Jagannath’s kitchen in Puri.
When Puri raja King Chodaganga Deva planned to cook Anna Prasad for the Lord, he had a dream of Lord Jagannath bringing Devi Hingula to his kitchen. On the other hand, according to the Mahabharat, King Nala of Surya Vansh had worshipped Maa Hingula.
So, Puri Raja told Raja Nala to worship her and bring her to the Jagannath Mandir. Raja Nala brought her in a form of fire and took a rest at Gopalgarh. And he had a dream of Devi, that this place would be her puja place. From that time of 1575, Maa Hingula has been worshiped here. It is also said that she has a connection with the Agnikonna.
Why Hingula Yatra is celebrated
Devi Hingula is worshiped in the form of fire and energy. It is believed that worshipping her will eliminate evil powers. It is also believed that by worshipping Devi one can get any object.
Hingula Yatra is a procession of devotees to the temple which is a journey of spirituality and devotion. It is also believed that Maa hingua is a form of Devi Parvati. So, people worshiped her to share the honor with her.
Who started Hingula Yatra
The first king of Talcher, Birbar Harichandan started the festival.
Highlights of Hingula Yatra:
- Women who do fast on the Chaturdasi, are called ‘Osati’.
- Men who join the procession and perform dance and singing to represent the goddess, are called “Patuas”. The main community is known as “Bada-Patua” or as “Katha -Patua”.
- Dehuri or Jadua is a non-brahmin person, who gets a dream of devi about the place of worshiping Devi.
- On the above fire king place, a canopy. And people offer bhog and coal. But the Canopy never burned in that fire.
Hingula Yatra 2023
The festival was started on 26th April 2023.
Hingula Yatra 2022
Hingula Yatra was held from 15th April 2022
Next Hingula Yatra
The Next Hingula Yatra puja will be held on 7th April 2024.
How to participate in Hingula Yatra
Besides the Hingula Yatra, a special prayer is offered to Devi every spring and in the month of Autumn. The main worship of Maa Hingula is offered on the day of Vishnvuba or Vinshu Damanak Chaturdosi. It is known as the Hingula Yatra, which is celebrated on the fourteenth day of Chaitra month. The festival starts on the Krishna Paksha on Thursday.
The main worshipper lives in a separate room and cooks in a separate oven only once a day. He is not allowed to be involved in any family-related work, shaving, oiling, etc.
Seven days before the Hingula Yatra, there is a puja is offered to Devi Kuteisuni. This is known as Jantal Puja.
It is believed that the puja is offered to the deity to enter into the body of Patiara. Which is known as Sodasopachara. A fire is set up on the coal to worship. Before some days of the main puja, devi gives a dream to the main “dehury” about the place of the fire.
On the main day, the king of Talcher placed a canopy on the fire. And every day more coal is added to the fire. On the last day of the festival, the fire increases to the equal height of the patiara. People also offer bhog to the fire. After the Yatra, another Sital Puja is organized by the royal family of Talcher.
Women do fast on this day. And people dance, singing in the procession. The performers are called “Patuas”.
How to Reach Angul
Hingula Yatra is one of the sacred festivals of Talcher, Angul. Angul can be reached by road, air, and by train.
How to reach Angul by Air
Biju Patnaik Airport, Bhubaneswar is the nearest airport. It is 180km away from the temple.
How to reach Angul by Train
Angul railway station is the nearest railway station. Talcher is also nearer to the temple. Talcher is nearly 30km from the temple.
How to reach Angul by Bus
There are buses and taxis are available to Angul. Angula bus stop is the nearest to the Hingula temple. There are regular buses available from Talcher and from Angul to the temple.
FAQs- Frequently Question Asked
How many number of days is the Hingula Yatra?
Hingula Yatra is celebrated for nine days in the month of Chaitra.
Who is Hingula Devi?
When Lord Shiva did the tandav with Devi Shati’s body. Other gods are scared that it will lead to the Proloy. Then Lord Vishnu breaks Lord Shati’s body to calm down Lord Shiva. Her one body part falls in Balochistan, Pakistan. Which is worshiped as Devi Hinglaj. In Assam, Jwalamukhi there is devi hingula who is worshiped in the form of fire.
What is Talcher’s history?
Talcher, after the name of the household deity Taleshwari, was given to the kingdom in the late 16th century during the rule of Padmanabha Birabara Harichandan. On January 1st, 1948, the state’s previous head of state, Hrudaya Chandra Dev Birabar Harichandan Mahapatra, officially joined the Indian Union.
Which railway station is closest to Hingula Temple?
Talcher Railway Station is the nearest station which is 12 KM away.