Maa Bedhakali
The 214-foot temple of Mahaprabhu Jagannath is surrounded by dozens of small, medium temples inside the large complex. One such temple is that of Maa Bedhakali, situated in the extreme north-west corner.
My house is closest to the Tiger Door (West Gate). I have always had a feeling that the West Gate looks primitive compared to the other three gates. From whichever massive door you enter the temple, you have to cross a 12-15 foot corridor, and climb a couple of very large steps, almost two dozen if you enter through the East Gate, to enter the large premises of the Temple.
We never entered the Temple through any doors except the Tiger. The steps are high, and half as long as in the East. I can recall the stony steps have an uneven surface. As you climb up the high stairs, and are about to enter another corridor, Kanapata Hanuman idol greets you in the left, and in the right the Temple garden. You cross them, and now stand face to face with the massive temple, and Nisha Nrusimha Temple, which is at a height of approximately 15 feet, carved into the Temple wall. It’s said to be the earliest idol. You walk a few meters and turn left for the circumambulation of the Temple. You don’t go first to the sanctum sanctorum of any Hindu temple without first making at least one round around it.
By the right side of Maa Mahalakshmi temple, the most crowded of all small temples inside the complex, Maa Bedhakali is situated. It is initially difficult to locate as the small temple is a few steps behind the path. The surrounding emits strange vibes. Mostly accompanying elderly ladies throughout my childhood, I had taken in their impressions, and till now, they are solid. Very few visit the temple with rather a low entrance, and are advised to pay obeisance from far. From a distance of some 20 feet, you can see Maa. The idol you see now is not the real idol; the real stone idol is kept behind the present one hidden away behind a wall, made three centuries ago.
Why?
Bedha means perimeter, and Maa Bedhakali is the guardian of the Temple in the night. After pahuda, that is after Mahaprabhu goes off to take rest, when all devotees are taken out, all doors get sealed, Maa comes out to guard. She, with all her bared weapons, large angry eyes, and flashing red tongue, looks every inch fearsome and ferocious.
Even in my childhood days it was scary to go there in the evening. Even in day time, the place evoked strong feelings. The rule is that after paying obeisance to Maa, you have to return backwards as you can’t show your back to Maa.
Imagine centuries back when the area was forested and lonely, how scary it would have been for devotees to visit her! Many devotees fainted, or became ill upon seeing the original stone idol of Maa. A wall was built on the orders of the Maharaja, and a new idol was placed before it. There’s a hole on the wall through which, till this day, Maa is offered bhog, and flowers.
Jai Maa Bedhakali!
[The attached image is for representational purpose only as photography is strictly banned inside the Temple.]