Samaleswari
Encyclopedia
Maa Samaleswari is the presiding deity of Sambalpur
and is a strong religious force in western part of Orissa, also known as Kosal region, and Chhattisgarh
state of India. Maa Samaleswari is known as the symbol of Sambalpuri "Sambalpuri" culture. On the bank of the river Mahanadi
the mother goddess Samaleswari has been worshipped from ancient times as Jagatjanani, Adishakti,Mahashakti and Bhuvaneshvari. Sambalpur
region has been called Hirakhanda since ancient times. Ptolemy
described the place as Sambalak. According to Tavernir, the French traveller, and Edward Gibbon, the English historian, diamonds were exported to Rome from Sambalpur.
Originally the goddess was known as Somaleswari. (Soma - eternal bliss) Somaleswari - Soma Datri meaning "one who bestows eternal bliss."
It is said that since the goddess Samaleswari was worshipped under a Samel (simili) tree (cotton tree), she was called Sameleswari and later came to be known as Samaleswari.
District) was ruled by Raja Narasingh Dev from 1540 A.D. to 1547 A.D. The capital of the kingdom was near the present town of Patnagarh on the bank of the river Mayabati in Balangir
District. It is said that in the midnight of the dark fortnight of Sravana in the rainy season the queen of King Narasingh Dev suffered from intense labour pain and her life was in danger. A traditional midwife lived in a village on the other side of the river Mayabati, but the river was in full spate with a swift current. Balaram Dev swam across the flooded river and brought back the midwife from her village on his shoulders. With the care and treatment offered by the midwife the queen delivered a son who was named Hamir Dev.
. Balaram Dev ruled Sambalpur
sometime between 1540 AD and 1557 AD (Pasayat,2004:90-96; 2004:83-89). The Kings of Sambalpur later expanded their territory on a vast area of Western Orissa and Chattisagrh known as Athara Garjat or 18 Garjat. This kingdom was renamed Hirakhand.
and came to the right bank to go hunting with his hounds. While hunting, he noticed a miracle. He saw that his hounds, rather than chasing a rabbit, were being chased by the rabbit itself. It seemed that his hounds were in mortal fear of the rabbit. The king stood stunned and later noticed that the rabbit returned to the foot of a huge simili (cotton) tree on the left bank of Mahanadi
and disappeared. Balaram Dev returned to his camp that night and had a strange dream. The goddess Samaleswari manifested herself to him and said that she was residing in Gumadarha inside the river and that he should establish her at the foot of the simili tree and build a temple. She blessed the king and vanished. The next morning Balaram Dev made up his mind and considering the importance of the left bank of Mahanadi
on the ground of religion and administration established his fort. He installed the goddess Samaleswari under the simili tree and built a temple. Sambalpur
was a small village at that time.
According to some historians, the idol of the goddess Samaleswari under the simili tree was worshipped by tribals from the third century A.D. until the temple was built by Balaram Dev.
was built some time in the middle of 16th century. It was rebuilt by the 7th independent king of Sambalpur
, Chhatra Sai, who reigned from 1657 to 1665 AD and endowed vast land for Seva and Puja of the deity to a group of sevayats.
The temple is built of a kind of stone as durable as granite
cemented with lime mortar, and the whole building is plastered. The square sanctum sanctorum enshrining the deity is four steps below the 10 feet (3 m) covered circumambulation, which is supported by 12 stone pillars. Eleven parswa devis (side Goddess) are embedded on the outer wall of the sanctum, so that the devotees can worship those deities during Parikarma through the vaulted circumambulation. The arched roof begins after a height of 18 feet and tapers to the height of 35 feet.
was adopted. Later only small animals such as goats were used for this practice. The sacrifice of buffaloes has been abandoned for several years. The practice of human sacrifice stopped centuries ago. It is said that in ancient times human sacrifice was offered once a year.
The legend goes that Kala Pahad was defeated due to Maa Samaleswari. Kala Pahad's tomb and those of his soldiers are located on the outskirts of Sambalpur.
of Shree Shree Samalai Devi consists of a large block of granite stone with an inverted, trunk-like projection at the bottom. A shallow cut on her "Baraha"-like face symbolises her mouth. A traditional Sambalpuri nose ornament of pure gold hangs down from her imaginary nose. Beaten gold leaf fixed on two disproportionate golden eyes like depressions on the face acts as a substitute for her eyes in an attempt to define the face of the mother deity on a mass of self-shaped rock. The devi's idol inspires sublime sentiments of awe, fear, reverence, devotion, love and affection towards all-pervading motherhood.
On Nuakhai
Annabhoga rice from new paddy is offered to Maa Samaleswari. It is the most important mass festival in the Western Orissa (Kosal) in particular and Orissa in general.
On Mahalaya more than one lakh devotees have a holy devi darshan of Dhabalmukhi Besha. It is believed that darshan of Dhabalmukhi Samaleswari gives the blessing of Gangadarshan. Thus it is known as Ganga Darshan Besh.
During this festival
the akhada ustad and akhada masters display martial art along with their players with sticks, swords and fire which attracts the people very much.
Every Tuesday and Saturday a large number of devotees and tourists come from different parts of the country.
a puja is offered in a total 112 places in the temple premises. No one including pujakas demand money from the devotees, which creates an atmoshphere for comfortable darshan.
Sambalpur
Sambalpur is a city in Sambalpur district in the Indian state of Orissa.It lies at a distance of 321 km from the state capital Bhubaneswar. In the year 1876, Sambalpur was established as a municipality. It is currently the headquarters and the largest city of Sambalpur district. It is also...
and is a strong religious force in western part of Orissa, also known as Kosal region, and Chhattisgarh
Chhattisgarh
Chhattisgarh is a state in Central India, formed when the 16 Chhattisgarhi-speaking South-Eastern districts of Madhya Pradesh gained separate statehood on 1 November 2000....
state of India. Maa Samaleswari is known as the symbol of Sambalpuri "Sambalpuri" culture. On the bank of the river Mahanadi
Mahanadi River
The Mahanadi in East Central India. It drains an area of around 141,600 km2 and has a total course of 858 km. The river flows through the states of Chhattisgarh and Orissa.-Source:...
the mother goddess Samaleswari has been worshipped from ancient times as Jagatjanani, Adishakti,Mahashakti and Bhuvaneshvari. Sambalpur
Sambalpur
Sambalpur is a city in Sambalpur district in the Indian state of Orissa.It lies at a distance of 321 km from the state capital Bhubaneswar. In the year 1876, Sambalpur was established as a municipality. It is currently the headquarters and the largest city of Sambalpur district. It is also...
region has been called Hirakhanda since ancient times. Ptolemy
Ptolemy
Claudius Ptolemy , was a Roman citizen of Egypt who wrote in Greek. He was a mathematician, astronomer, geographer, astrologer, and poet of a single epigram in the Greek Anthology. He lived in Egypt under Roman rule, and is believed to have been born in the town of Ptolemais Hermiou in the...
described the place as Sambalak. According to Tavernir, the French traveller, and Edward Gibbon, the English historian, diamonds were exported to Rome from Sambalpur.
Originally the goddess was known as Somaleswari. (Soma - eternal bliss) Somaleswari - Soma Datri meaning "one who bestows eternal bliss."
It is said that since the goddess Samaleswari was worshipped under a Samel (simili) tree (cotton tree), she was called Sameleswari and later came to be known as Samaleswari.
Introduction
The independent kingdom of Patna (currently BalangirBalangir
For Balangir District See : Balangir DistrictBalangir', is a city and municipality in Balangir district in the state of Orissa, India. It is also the headquarter of Balangir district.-Overview:...
District) was ruled by Raja Narasingh Dev from 1540 A.D. to 1547 A.D. The capital of the kingdom was near the present town of Patnagarh on the bank of the river Mayabati in Balangir
Balangir
For Balangir District See : Balangir DistrictBalangir', is a city and municipality in Balangir district in the state of Orissa, India. It is also the headquarter of Balangir district.-Overview:...
District. It is said that in the midnight of the dark fortnight of Sravana in the rainy season the queen of King Narasingh Dev suffered from intense labour pain and her life was in danger. A traditional midwife lived in a village on the other side of the river Mayabati, but the river was in full spate with a swift current. Balaram Dev swam across the flooded river and brought back the midwife from her village on his shoulders. With the care and treatment offered by the midwife the queen delivered a son who was named Hamir Dev.
Formation of Sambalpur
King Narasingh Dev was greatly pleased by the valour of his younger brother Balaram Dev and granted him a large tract of land which later became the kingdom of Huma Desh and later became the independent kingdom of SambalpurSambalpur
Sambalpur is a city in Sambalpur district in the Indian state of Orissa.It lies at a distance of 321 km from the state capital Bhubaneswar. In the year 1876, Sambalpur was established as a municipality. It is currently the headquarters and the largest city of Sambalpur district. It is also...
. Balaram Dev ruled Sambalpur
Sambalpur
Sambalpur is a city in Sambalpur district in the Indian state of Orissa.It lies at a distance of 321 km from the state capital Bhubaneswar. In the year 1876, Sambalpur was established as a municipality. It is currently the headquarters and the largest city of Sambalpur district. It is also...
sometime between 1540 AD and 1557 AD (Pasayat,2004:90-96; 2004:83-89). The Kings of Sambalpur later expanded their territory on a vast area of Western Orissa and Chattisagrh known as Athara Garjat or 18 Garjat. This kingdom was renamed Hirakhand.
Existence of Maa Samaleswari
According to local stories, it is said that on a particular day Balaram Dev crossed the river MahanadiMahanadi River
The Mahanadi in East Central India. It drains an area of around 141,600 km2 and has a total course of 858 km. The river flows through the states of Chhattisgarh and Orissa.-Source:...
and came to the right bank to go hunting with his hounds. While hunting, he noticed a miracle. He saw that his hounds, rather than chasing a rabbit, were being chased by the rabbit itself. It seemed that his hounds were in mortal fear of the rabbit. The king stood stunned and later noticed that the rabbit returned to the foot of a huge simili (cotton) tree on the left bank of Mahanadi
Mahanadi River
The Mahanadi in East Central India. It drains an area of around 141,600 km2 and has a total course of 858 km. The river flows through the states of Chhattisgarh and Orissa.-Source:...
and disappeared. Balaram Dev returned to his camp that night and had a strange dream. The goddess Samaleswari manifested herself to him and said that she was residing in Gumadarha inside the river and that he should establish her at the foot of the simili tree and build a temple. She blessed the king and vanished. The next morning Balaram Dev made up his mind and considering the importance of the left bank of Mahanadi
Mahanadi River
The Mahanadi in East Central India. It drains an area of around 141,600 km2 and has a total course of 858 km. The river flows through the states of Chhattisgarh and Orissa.-Source:...
on the ground of religion and administration established his fort. He installed the goddess Samaleswari under the simili tree and built a temple. Sambalpur
Sambalpur
Sambalpur is a city in Sambalpur district in the Indian state of Orissa.It lies at a distance of 321 km from the state capital Bhubaneswar. In the year 1876, Sambalpur was established as a municipality. It is currently the headquarters and the largest city of Sambalpur district. It is also...
was a small village at that time.
According to some historians, the idol of the goddess Samaleswari under the simili tree was worshipped by tribals from the third century A.D. until the temple was built by Balaram Dev.
Samalei Gudi(The Samaleswari Temple)
Samaleswari TempleSamaleswari Temple
Samaleswari Temple is a Hindu temple in Sambalpur, Western Orissa, India dedicated to the goddess known as Maa, also known among the natives as samalei maa, meaning Mother Samaleswari. Shree Shree Samaleswari, the presiding deity of Sambalpur, is a strong religious force in western part of Orissa...
was built some time in the middle of 16th century. It was rebuilt by the 7th independent king of Sambalpur
Sambalpur
Sambalpur is a city in Sambalpur district in the Indian state of Orissa.It lies at a distance of 321 km from the state capital Bhubaneswar. In the year 1876, Sambalpur was established as a municipality. It is currently the headquarters and the largest city of Sambalpur district. It is also...
, Chhatra Sai, who reigned from 1657 to 1665 AD and endowed vast land for Seva and Puja of the deity to a group of sevayats.
The temple is built of a kind of stone as durable as granite
Granite
Granite is a common and widely occurring type of intrusive, felsic, igneous rock. Granite usually has a medium- to coarse-grained texture. Occasionally some individual crystals are larger than the groundmass, in which case the texture is known as porphyritic. A granitic rock with a porphyritic...
cemented with lime mortar, and the whole building is plastered. The square sanctum sanctorum enshrining the deity is four steps below the 10 feet (3 m) covered circumambulation, which is supported by 12 stone pillars. Eleven parswa devis (side Goddess) are embedded on the outer wall of the sanctum, so that the devotees can worship those deities during Parikarma through the vaulted circumambulation. The arched roof begins after a height of 18 feet and tapers to the height of 35 feet.
Myths and legends
It is believed that a man named Krupasindhu Panigrahi and his wife were buried in the foundation of the temple during its construction. Eventually human sacrifice was discontinued and the practice of sacrificing buffaloWater Buffalo
The water buffalo or domestic Asian water buffalo is a large bovine animal, frequently used as livestock in southern Asia, and also widely in South America, southern Europe, northern Africa, and elsewhere....
was adopted. Later only small animals such as goats were used for this practice. The sacrifice of buffaloes has been abandoned for several years. The practice of human sacrifice stopped centuries ago. It is said that in ancient times human sacrifice was offered once a year.
Kala Pahad
It is said that in 16th century Kala Pahad, the general of the King of Bengal, attacked Orissa and defeated and killed the last Hindu emperor, Gajapati Mukunda Dev, in the 16th century. He ravaged some of the famous temples of Midnapore, the Khirachora Gopinath temple of Balasore, the Khiching temple of Mayurbhanj, the temples of Konark Bhubaneswar, Puri, Jajpur & Cuttack. Then he attacked Sambalpur.The legend goes that Kala Pahad was defeated due to Maa Samaleswari. Kala Pahad's tomb and those of his soldiers are located on the outskirts of Sambalpur.
Idol of Maa Samaleswari
The IdolCult image
In the practice of religion, a cult image is a human-made object that is venerated for the deity, spirit or daemon that it embodies or represents...
of Shree Shree Samalai Devi consists of a large block of granite stone with an inverted, trunk-like projection at the bottom. A shallow cut on her "Baraha"-like face symbolises her mouth. A traditional Sambalpuri nose ornament of pure gold hangs down from her imaginary nose. Beaten gold leaf fixed on two disproportionate golden eyes like depressions on the face acts as a substitute for her eyes in an attempt to define the face of the mother deity on a mass of self-shaped rock. The devi's idol inspires sublime sentiments of awe, fear, reverence, devotion, love and affection towards all-pervading motherhood.
Festivals of Maa Samaleswari
- Jyestha Purnima - Jalasayee of Bhairava baba
- Sravana Purnima - Sravanbhishek
- Bhadraba Shukla Panchami - Nuakhai
- Bhadra Krushna Astami - Ambica Puja
- Aswin Amavasya - Mahalaya, Dhabalmukhi or Ganga Darshan vesha
- Aswin Shukla Pratipada - Navaratri Pujarambaha
- Aswin Purnima - Dhwajarohan and Raj-Rajeswari vesha
- Kartika Amabasya - Shyama Puja
- Poush Purnima - Poushyabhishek
- Magha Shukla Panchami - Maha Saraswati Puja
- Magha Purnami - Purnahuti of 24 Prahari Mahamantra Namyagna
- Makara Sankranti - Purnahuti of 3 days deepa mahayagna
- Phalguna Purnima - Gundikhia, Dolapurnima
- Chaitra Shukla Pratipada - Vasantika Navaratri Pujarambha
- Vishuva Sankranti - Sitala Thakurani Puja
- Akshaya Trutiya - Shree Shree Samaleswari bhajan Samaroha
On Nuakhai
Nuakhai
Nuakhai or Nuankhai is an agricultural festival mainly observed by people of western Orissa in India. Nuakhai is observed to welcome the new rice of the season...
Annabhoga rice from new paddy is offered to Maa Samaleswari. It is the most important mass festival in the Western Orissa (Kosal) in particular and Orissa in general.
On Mahalaya more than one lakh devotees have a holy devi darshan of Dhabalmukhi Besha. It is believed that darshan of Dhabalmukhi Samaleswari gives the blessing of Gangadarshan. Thus it is known as Ganga Darshan Besh.
During this festival
Festival
A festival or gala is an event, usually and ordinarily staged by a local community, which centers on and celebrates some unique aspect of that community and the Festival....
the akhada ustad and akhada masters display martial art along with their players with sticks, swords and fire which attracts the people very much.
Every Tuesday and Saturday a large number of devotees and tourists come from different parts of the country.
Worship
Devi Samaleswari is worshipped with the Bhuvaneshvari mantra by Kshatriya sevayats. They belong to 12 families and use the surname "Rai". On the days of festivals like NuakhaiNuakhai
Nuakhai or Nuankhai is an agricultural festival mainly observed by people of western Orissa in India. Nuakhai is observed to welcome the new rice of the season...
a puja is offered in a total 112 places in the temple premises. No one including pujakas demand money from the devotees, which creates an atmoshphere for comfortable darshan.