Cuttack Chandi Temple, Cuttack, Orissa India

Cuttack Chandi Temple is nestled in the surrounding region of Cuttack. It is a popular place where quite a good number of people come to chant prayers. The temple has a unique history. There is a myth that the goddess appeared there to a man called Hansa Panda. The architectural beauty of the temple is quite alluring. The tranquil atmosphere of the temple offers immense pleasure to the heart. 

The Katak Chandi Temple is an ancient temple dedicated to the Goddess Chandi, the presiding deity of Cuttack, Orissa. The temple is located nearby the banks of the Mahanadi River. It is famous for the annual Durga Puja and Kali Puja festivals. The Durga Puja festivities are prominent in Maa Katak Chandi temple which takes place for 16 days stating from dark fortnight of Ashwina Krishna Ashtami till Ashwina shukla navami and Vijayadashami.

The goddess popularly called as Maa Katak Chandi, sits and rules on the heart of the ancient city. She has four hands holding Paasha (noose), Ankusha (goad), gestures dispelling fear(Abhaya), and granting boon (Varada). She is worshiped as Bhuvaneshvari (the queen of universe) by Sevayatas belonging to Utkala Brahmins everyday. Maa Chandi is worshipped in various incarnations of Durga during the puja. In Cuttack, people strongly believe Maa Katak Chandi as 'The Living Goddess'.

Cuttack Chandi Temple is situated in the surrounding area of Cuttack. This is an ancient shrine dedicated to the Goddess Chandi, the reigning deity of Cuttack. The temple is nestled on the banks of river Mahanadi.

The temple is famous among the devotees, who flock to the temple throughout the year. The temple witnesses a huge number of devotees coming to the shrine to chant prayers daily. The goddess of the temple is worshipped as an incarnation of Durga during the Durga Puja every year. The Durga Puja festival is celebrated in a large scale in the temple annually.

The festivities are observed for 16 days, starting from the dark fortnight of Ashwina Krishna Ashtami and continue till Vijaya Dashami. The goddess of the temple is also known as Maa Katak Chandi among the locals. The temple is believed to be about 300 years old. The architecture of the temple is a splendid sight.

According to legend, the land where the temple is located once lay fallow. Hansa Panda, the Purohit of the then King of Kanika, used to graze his cattle on the land. One day he felt tired and took rest on a heap of dry soil. While resting, he experienced an unusual feeling within. The same night, Goddess Chandi appeared in his dream and requested him to bring her out of the land. The next day he went to the King and told him about the dream he had. With the help of the king, Hansa Panda dug the land. It is said that forty bullock carts of red sindoor came out while digging after which emerged the Deity of Maa Katak Chandi.The present temple marks the spot. The temple of Maa Katak Chandi, the presiding deity of the city is visited by hundreds of devotees everyday. The image of the deity is older than the temple.