Biraja Panjika — The Jajpur Almanac
Biraja Panjika (ବିରଜା ପଞ୍ଜିକା) is the traditional almanac published from Jajpur, also known as Biraja Kshetra. It is particularly followed in central and western Odisha regions.
Quick Facts
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Biraja Temple Trust, Jajpur |
| Origin | Jajpur (Biraja Kshetra) |
| Language | Odia |
| Region | Central & Western Odisha |
| Significance | One of the oldest panjikas in Odisha |
Biraja Kshetra — The Sacred Land
Jajpur is called Biraja Kshetra because:
- ✦Home to the Biraja Temple (Maa Biraja)
- ✦Ancient Tantric shakti peetha
- ✦Mentioned in Puranas as a sacred crossing
- ✦The name "Biraja" means "free from passion" (ବି + ରଜ)
"Biraja Kshetra is where the Goddess Biraja resides as the presiding deity of liberation."
What It Contains
Daily Panchanga
The Biraja Panjika provides:
- ✦ତିଥି (Tithi) — Lunar day with precise timing
- ✦ନକ୍ଷତ୍ର (Nakshatra) — Constellation with degrees
- ✦ଲଗ୍ନ (Lagna) — Ascendant calculations
- ✦ରାଶି (Rashi) — Moon sign
- ✦ଯୋଗ (Yoga) — Daily yoga
- ✦କରଣ (Karana) — Half-tithi
Regional Festivals
Biraja Panjika is particularly detailed on:
- ✦ନୁଆଖାଇ (Nuakhai) — Western Odisha's main festival
- ✦ପୁଷ ପୁଣି celebrations
- ✦ଶକ୍ତି ପୂଜା — Goddess worship dates
- ✦Regional melas and fairs
Agricultural Calendar
Important for farmers:
- ✦Planting seasons
- ✦Harvest timings
- ✦Rain predictions (traditional)
- ✦Nakshatra-based farming
Regional Following
Biraja Panjika is preferred in:
| Region | Districts |
|---|---|
| Central Odisha | Jajpur, Dhenkanal, Angul |
| Western Odisha | Sambalpur, Bargarh, Bolangir |
| Northern Odisha | Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj |
Biraja vs Jagannath Panjika
| Aspect | Biraja Panjika | Jagannath Panjika |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Jajpur | Puri |
| Focus | General/Agricultural | Temple rituals |
| Nuakhai | Very detailed | Basic |
| Rath Yatra | Reference | Definitive |
| Region | Central/West | Coastal |
Historical Significance
The Biraja Panjika:
- ✦Dates back several centuries
- ✦Maintained by traditional astronomers (ଜ୍ୟୋତିଷ)
- ✦Preserves local Tantric traditions
- ✦Contains unique regional festivals
Importance in Odisha
Both Biraja and Jagannath Panjikas are respected, and together they serve:
- ✦Complete coverage of Odisha's diverse regions
- ✦Rich tradition of indigenous astronomy
- ✦Cultural preservation of local festivals
- ✦Agricultural guidance for rural communities
The Biraja Temple
The panjika gets its name from Maa Biraja Temple:
- ✦One of the ancient Shakti Peethas
- ✦Worshipped as "Biraja" form of Durga
- ✦Temple rebuilt in medieval period
- ✦Annual Chadak and Jhamu Yatra festivals
Related: Jagannath Panjika • Nuakhai • Calendar