Maa Barunei and Karunei Temple is one of Odisha’s Shakti Peethas. The Hindu Goddess Maa Barunei, a manifestation of Shakti, is honored in this temple. The temple is located on Barunei Hill in the Indian state of Odisha’s Khordha district. This location is about 30 kilometers from Bhubaneswar, Odisha’s state capital. The sanctum sanctorum of the temple houses idols of the twin goddesses Barunei and Karuna. Swarna Ganga, a magnificent stream that comes from the hill, adds to the attractiveness of this location.
History :
Rama Chandra Dev, the son of Bhoi Dynasty Prime Minister Danai Vidyadhar, founded his capital at Khurda, near Barunei hill. Vala Vikram Singh of Kholapala gave him this location as a gift. Bagha Patra of Kokkal, Jhadu Parida of Ghoradia, and Sarani Patra of Mallipada were three of Rama Chandra Dev’s supporters in the creation of the Khurda Kingdom. After the sacrilege of Kalapathara, Rama Chandra Dev called his new capital Jagannathpur Katak, after Lord Jagannatha, the god who was first reinstated.
The Khurda Bhoi dynasty had two deities, Karunei and Barunei. The alternatives for the presiding goddesses are Jaya Durga and Kanak Durga, who are worshipped in the priest’s home. These two Durga images were carried to Barunei pitha for adoration during Dusshera.
Jaya Durga and Kanak Durga were also brought and installed in Puri after the Bhoi dynasty capital was moved there. Karunei and Barunei remained at the foot of the Barunei hill in their ancient shrine.
During Dusshera, Jagannath temple sarees and maha prasad are sent to Karunei and Barunei. Gajapati Purusottam Deva is supposed to have brought Ganesh, Sakhigopal, Karunei, and Barunei after defeating the king of Kanchi.
The Paika community worships Barunei and Karunei, who are regarded as Khetreswari of Khurda fort. The Muslim invaders are said to have conquered the Paikas by undermining the Sakti of Devi by sacrificing livestock. The Oriya book “Bata Avakasa,” by famed medieval poet Balaram Das, contains a description of twin goddesses.
