Sacred Majesty of Maa Ugratara

Situated in the peaceful town of Bhusandpur, Maa Ugratara Temple is a symbol of piety and mysticism, which attracts devotees from all over the country. Approximately 55 kilometers from Bhubaneswar and 35 kilometers from Balugaon lies this holy shrine that worships Goddess Durga in her fierce but kind avatar as Maa Ugratara. The Chaturbhuja icon of the goddess, with powerful weapons in her hand, exudes an aura of divine power and protection, evoking her profound reverence by devotees who fondly address her as “Tarade.”

Surrounded by twelve hills, the geographical site of the temple enhances its spiritual appeal. It is considered one of the world’s most distinctive Peethas, a site where religion and the power of the divine become intertwined. It is surrounded by legend, and its history dates back to ancient times when saints did ferocious sadhanas here, hence the name Tantrapitha. The temple turns into a majestic stage on Dussehra to worship the ten Mahavidyas, which include Maa Kali, Tara, Sodashi, Bhubaneswari, Bhairavi, Chinnabasta, Dhumabati, Baglamukhi, Matangi, and Maa Kamala.

Two grand festivals adorn the temple’s calendar, the Basantika Durga Puja and the Sharadiya Durga Puja, both starting from Mulastami and culminating on Dashara. These ceremonies turn the temple complex into a spirited maze of faith, where incantations, rituals, and the scent of incense pervade a richly spiritual air. Pilgrims from all over Odisha and further afield visit to see the rituals, seek blessings, and bathe in the divine aura that surrounds the temple.

Easily accessible by Bhusandpur Railway Station just a kilometer off, with the closest bus stand at Rameswar and Biju Patnaik International Airport just a one hour drive from Bhubaneswar, Maa Ugratara Temple continues to be a prized spiritual site. It is not just a site of worship, but a timelessness of belief, strength, and tranquility, where the eyes of the goddess are said to protect and lead her believers eternally.