Vaital Deula temple

Vaital Deula or Baitala Deula temple is located near the Bindu Sarabor Lake. It is one of the unique and oldest temples of Bhubaneswar. The temple is also known as “Tini Mundia Mandira” as Goddess Mahakali, Mahasaraswati and Mahalakshmi are symbolize Goddess Chamunda, who is the goddess of the temple. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Chamunda or Charchika.

She is the Tantric consort of Devi Durga, who is locally known as “Kapalini”. Goddess Chamunda is worshiped inside the sanctum of the temple. She is very powerful incarnation of Devi Durga. People come to the temple to seek Goddess Chamunda’s blessings.

Design and Architecture of Temple

The architectural plan and artistic carvings of the temple are showing the beauty of Kalinga style. A rectangular deul or a tower is the main feature of the temple along with its carvings. The historical significance of the architecture is traced back to 8^th or 9^th century of Kalinga style.

This period is also known for its flourishing arts and carving phase of the Kalinga style. The style of this temple is mixture of Jainism and Buddhism, which is a showcase of ancient time of India.

Read More about Famous Temples in Odisha

The temple known for its architectures and beautiful sculptures. A stone post in front of the flat-roofed jagamohana is relief-carved with two Buddha-like figures seated in dharma-chakra-pravartana mudra. The artistic carvings and four faced Lingas are covered the entrance of the temple.

The outward walls of the temple are also covered with various sculptures of Hindu God and Goddess, majorly Lord Shiva and Devi Parvati along with wild animals and sculptures of couples.

The uniqueness of the architectures of the temple is its flat roof and conical top. The temple is a Shakti Peetha or a yoni which symbolize as the female reproductive organs. So the temple is also known as the “Yamuna Deula”. The name also linked with Yamuna, wife of Lord Krishna.

The temple is not only bounded with the unique architectures, also famous for its beauty of the carvings, which are the scenes from mythology, folklore, and daily life. The corridors of the temple made with stones also represents Odisha’s history, culture and spirituality.

Vaital Deula temple holds both architectures and archaeological significance. Along with the architectural beauty, sculptures, beautiful carvings, archaeological survey of India make the temple preserved for the future also.

Vaital Deula is not just a temple and it is also a timeless marvel that continues to making it an essential pilgrimage site and a cultural gem of Bhubaneswar.

History of Vaital Deula Temple

Queen Tribhuvana Mahadevi, the first female ruler of Bhauma Kara dynasty was built the temple at 8^th century. It is said that the name of the temple “Vaital” came from “Vahitra” or ship.

The word also associated with the temple, as the top of the temple is look like an inverted ship. It is also said that the name came from the vegetable Pumpkin or “Vaita Kakharu”.

It is also said that the name came from the “Vetaal” or spirits as Tantrics and kapalies were worshipped here. 

There are also various unfold stories are associated with the temple. It is also believed that lots of rulers like Gangas, Marathas and Gajapatis were worshiped and ruled in the temple over the years. Also the temple has seen lots of fails of the dynasties.

Best time to visit Vaital Deula

The temple remains open throughout the year. So the temple can be visited any months of the year. But as April to June is summer it is difficult to visit. October to February is better to visit the temple. 

Timings of Vaital Deula temple

The temple is remains open every day throughout the week as well as opens over whole year. The temple opens at 8 AM in the morning and closes at 6 PM.

Facts about Vaital Deula Temple

• One of the major highlights of the temple is its deul or the tower, which is similar to the temple of Dravidian gopuram of South India.
• There are two Chaitya windows in the temple. The lower window is covered with the sculptures of Surya God along with the shooting arrows of Usha and Pratusha. And the upper window is covered with Nataraj with 10 arms.
• Another feature of Vaital temple is its deity of Goddess Chamunda, she has eight arms. And beautiful figures of Mahesvari, Brahmane, Kumari, Varahi, Vaishnavi and Aindri and 15 carvings are covered the idol of the Goddess. She wears a mala made with Skulls and her tongue is out of her mouth. 
• The temple is made of Khakhara style. The temple is made in a rath type, Ayudha and Amalaka.
• At the exterior of the temple there are some panels, in between those there are sculptures of Parvati (south) , Goddess Durga who is spearing a demon buffalo, and Ardhanarishvara (west). 
• Sisireswar temple also located at the complex of the Vaital deula temple.
• Rameshwar Temple, Siddheshwar Temple, Lingaraja Temple, Ananta Vasudeva Temple, Parsurameswar Temple are some nearest temples located to the Vaital deula temple.
• The temple is located at a distance of 100 km from the Bindu Sarobar Lake.
• The temple is one of the Oldest temples, which is made of Khakhra style architecture and fineness of carvings.

How to Reach Vaital Deula

Vaital Deula located at Bhubaneswar, which can be reached from any city by bus, train and flight.

By Air: At a distance of 3.6 km Biju Patnaik International airport is located near the temple. From the airport buses, taxis are available to the temple, which takes 10 minutes to reach the temple.

By train: At a distance of 4.1 km Bhubaneswar railway station is located. It is the nearest railway station to the temple. from the station auto, taxis, private and public cars are available.

By bus: At a distance of 8 Km from the temple, Baramunda, the major bus stop of the Bhubaneswar or Odisha is located at Bhubaneswar. From the bus stand ORSTC buses, local and intercity buses are available to the temple.

Frequently Asked Questions