Samaleswari Temple (Odia: ସମଲେଶ୍ୱରୀ ମନ୍ଦିର) is a Hindu temple located in Sambalpur, a city in the western part of Odisha. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Samaleswari, who is also known as Samalei Maa or Mother Samaleswari. She is the presiding deity of Sambalpur and the surrounding regions, including parts of Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh. She is worshipped as a form of Shakti or divine feminine power.
The History and Legend of Samaleswari Temple
According to legend, Samaleswari Temple was built by King Balaram Dev, the founder of the Chauhan dynasty of Sambalpur, in the 16th century CE. He was a great devotee of Goddess Samaleswari and established her as his kuladevi or clan deity. He also named his capital city after her as Samalapura or Sambalpur.
The temple has witnessed many historical events and changes over the centuries. It has survived the attacks of the Mughals, the Marathas, and the British. It has also seen the rise and fall of various rulers and dynasties of Sambalpur. It has also been a centre of cultural and social activities, especially during festivals like Nuakhai (the harvest festival), Navratri (the nine nights of worship), and Dussehra (the victory of good over evil).
The temple is also associated with many legends and miracles. One such legend is that of Lachman Singh Bhairi, a rebel leader who fought against the British in 1857. He was a follower of Goddess Samaleswari and sought her blessings before every battle. He also hid his weapons and ammunition inside the temple premises. Once, when he was surrounded by the British forces, he prayed to the goddess to save him. Miraculously, a thick fog covered the area and he managed to escape with his men.
The architecture and rituals of Samaleswari Temple
Samaleswari Temple is a stone structure built in the Kalinga style of architecture. It has a square sanctum sanctorum with four smaller shrines at the corners. The main shrine houses the idol of Goddess Samaleswari, made of black granite and adorned with jewellery and flowers. The idol depicts the goddess with four arms holding a trident, a sword, a lotus, and a skull. She is seated on a lion throne with two lions at her feet.
The temple is surrounded by a high wall with four gateways facing the four cardinal directions. The eastern gateway is the main entrance to the temple complex. The gateways are decorated with carvings of various Hindu motifs like lotuses, elephants, lions, etc.
The temple is visited by devotees throughout the year, especially during festivals like Nuakhai, Navratri, and Dussehra. The devotees offer prayers, flowers, fruits, sweets, and lamps to the goddess. They also perform various rituals like bathing the idol with water, milk, honey, and turmeric; offering animal sacrifices; singing hymns and songs; dancing and playing musical instruments; etc.
The devotees also seek blessings from the goddess for their health, wealth, success, peace, and happiness. They also pray for rain and good crops. They believe that by worshipping Goddess Samaleswari on this day, they will be free from all sins and troubles.
Samaleswari Temple is a symbol of faith and culture in western Odisha. It is a place where one can experience the glory and grace of Goddess Samaleswari.
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