Jajpur is popularly known as Biraja Khetra, which translates as "the place sacred to Goddess Biraja", Jajpur is situated on the right bank of the Baitarani River. The origin of the name of Jajpur is shrouded in mystery. Some scholars think that it is derived from the word Yajnapura, while other scholars opine that the name originated from Jajatipura. King Yajati of Somavansa was known to have made a great yajna called dasaswamedha at this place. For this, he brought 10,000 brahmins from North India and settled them in various Sasanas for which now we find a series of Brahmana Sasana villages in Jajpur area.
In ancient times Jajpur was called as Viraja or Parvati Khetra. At times it was also known as Baitarani Tirtha. Viraja Khetra finds mention in Sanskrit in the Mahabharata. The Puranic literatures refer to Viraja as Baitarani Tirtha, which was one of the famous tirthas of India.
Biraja Temple is one of the ancient Hindu temples located in the Jajpur district of Odisha, India. This present temple was built in 13th century.
The famous temple of Maa Olasuni became illustrious due to famous Odia Saint, Religious Writer and Philosopher Arakshit Das in around 1835. The temple situates on a hilltop and cave of Palai Mouza, Badachana Block of Jajpur District.
Located on the banks of River Baitarani, the Dasaswamedha Ghat is a very holy spot which was built under the reign of Jajti Kesari. It attracts thousands of pilgrims every year. The water here is regarded as sacred and they say that taking a dip here during any auspicious date in the Hindu calendar brings about a lot of positivity in life. Baruni Snana is an important festival of the ghat when Hindus from all over the country come here to take a bath in the holy waters.
Jagannath temple is nothing less than a wonder. Surprisingly, we do not know anything about the origin or construction of the temple apart from the fact that it is a very old one. The architectural style of the temple speaks about the era it might have been constructed in. However, no one has been able to find any solid proof of its inception. This is one of the most famous temples of Jajpur.
Chhatia is where the Jagannath temple is situated. This temple attracts the highest number of people. People say that it is the second Shreekhetra of Odisha. Chhatia Bata is another famous temple of the region. This temple has a really old banyan tree rooted to its complex. A number of stories and predictions revolve around this temple and the local people have a firm believe in the predictions written in the Malika which says, “On a day when all Living animals and Human will die and fish will play at the steps of Puri temple”.
Ratnagiri is a famous Buddhist religious spot of Jajpur located near the Udaigiri and Khandigiri caves. The architectural style of the temple seems to hint towards the fact that it was built during the rule of Gupta Dynasty in India. The temple ages back to the 6th century AD and seems to have been built for the Mahayana sect of Buddhism. This temple stands as a mark of how Buddhism was spreading in India during those times because of the patron rulers. The temple has numerous amusing sculptures of Buddhism placed strategically throughout the complex.