Shakta Pitha Bhattarika of Badamba in Cuttack district is one of the most important holy places of Orissa. This sacred pitha is associated with Devi Bhattarika. The Mahanadi River, the longest river in Orissa, flows by the side of the Bhattarika temple. The river is deep here. At the foot of Ratnagiri Hill is the Bhattarika Temple. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get Original Essay Mahanadi River, Ratnagiri Hill, Bhattarika Temple and famous places like Narayana, Nilamadhava, Vindhyavasini, Simhanath attract thousands of pilgrims, devotees and tourists. According to a popular legend this pitha was founded by Parsuram and he also carved the image of the goddess on the tip of his arrow. In this pitha Parsurama did penance to obtain the mercy of the deity to kill Bhatta or Kshetriya. The Goddess was pleased with him and offered him the desired boom. Hence the Pitha is associated with the epic age. According to Ramayan, Ram, Lakshmana and Sita on their way to Panchvati prayed to Goddess Bhattarika. The Mankadagadia hill on the other side of Mahanadi, where the foot signs of Ram, Lakshmana and Sita are worshipped, is also quite significant. Another legend says that Krishna and Satyabhama visited Bhattarika and this was revealed to Arjun during his Agyantavasa. The demon Gosimha abducted Satyabhama in disguise during that time. Arjun fought bravely and killed the demon Gosimha. After that Krishna, Satyabhama and Arjun prayed to Goddess Bhattarika; the presiding deity of the Badamba royal family. The term Bhattarika has a different meaning. According to the history and legend of Badambagada, Gajapati of Orissa ordered the two brothers Hattakishor and Mallakishor to establish two villages called Sankha and Mahuri. Later they became kings in that place. The chieftain of that area opposed these two brothers when they attempted to build the fort. A terrible battle was fought and ultimately the chieftain and his wife died in the battle. Before his death the chieftain's wife advised King Hattakishore to worship the deity Bhattarika. Another name of Bhattarika deity is Bruhadamba. The king named his state Bhuhadamba after the Goddess. But the latter is known as Badamba Devi Bhattarika sitting in Lalitasana with a lotus in one hand and the other in Varadamudra. She is suryopasanatatpara. It is seen that the Sun God is worshiped here. An image of the sun god is preserved in the Jagamohan of the Bhattarika temple. Another meaning of Devi Bhattarika is respectable woman.' Devi Bhattarika is associated with eight small images, five in Padmasana and three in Lalitasana. The associated images are Prabha, Maya, Jaya, Sukshma, Visuddha, Suprabha and Abhaya. According to the Yogachara Buddhist system, the Devi is seated at the center of the Chakra associated with eight deities. The priest worships the goddess as Rajarajeswari, Mahamaya, Tripura Sundari, Siddha Bhattarika. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Some research scholars believe that the place was connected to Buddhism. At the time of Bhaumakara's rule, the particular place was associated with Tantric Buddhism. The Somavamsi, mortal enemies of Buddhism, may have converted the pitha into the Hindu fold. The tiny Buddhist image is now placed in the central niche. The current image of Tara appears to be a later insertion. The worshipers of the goddess Bhattarika are not Brahmins, this determines a popular character of the deity. In the daily ritual of the deity, cooked fish is offered. Devi Bhattarika is considered the deity of navigation and the fishing community. Popular myths, legends and evidence.