Kalijai Temple in Chilika Lake, Odisha

Kalijai Temple in Chilika Lake, Odisha

Kalijai Temple (Odia: କାଳିଜାଈ ମନ୍ଦିର) is located on an island in Chilika Lake. It is considered to be the abode of the Goddess Kalijai. Goddess Kalijai is actually Kali, the source and the first 'Mahavidya' of 'Dasmahavidyas'.

Maa Kalijai Temple in Chilika, Odisha


Highly revered by the local populace, the deity has been venerated in the local folklore and legends. The island provides an excellent destination for pilgrims as well as tourists. Every year in January, a huge gala fair is held during the festival of Makar Sankranti.

Front view of Maa Kalijai Temple

Who is Kalijai?

Legend has it that a newly married girl named Jaai (Odia: ଜାଈ) along with her father was going to her in-law's house. As her in-law's house was on an island in Chilika Lake they had to take a boat to ferry them across the lake.

The view of Chilika from Kalijai Temple

Odisha's coast is very prone to Cyclones and during this boat trip they were encountered with a severe Cyclone, as a result, their boat was capsized in Chilika Lake. All the boatmen and her father survived this event except for the girl Jaai.

A view of Maa Kalijai Temple

They searched for her but were unable to locate her. After this accidental death of that newlywed girl, she became the Goddess of people residing nearby and till now, she is worshiped as an EXCERPT of Kali. And, this is how the place got its name.

Maa Kalijai Temple


  • Content Source: English Wikipedia
  • All these photographs are taken by Manas Muduli.
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