Ma Budhi Thakurani is revered as the “Ishta Devi”, guardian of Berhampur, “Silk City” of southern Odisha in Ganjam district. She is the primordial feminine principle, an embodiment of all forms of womanhood, protection, strength and nurturing love.
The Legend behind the Goddess
The origin of worship dates back to the 16th or 17th Century when The Dera community, a silk weaving clan from Rajahmundry in Andhra Pradesh, settled in Berhampur during the Mahuri dynasty reign.
A Strange Occurrence
The popular belief was that the Goddess came out of her temple and went on nocturnal trips around the city. On One such visit during midnight she came upon Desi Behera, the chief of the Dera clan outside his home.
Ma transformed into a small girl, wailing for her seemingly lost parents. Behera assured help and took her home. The next morning She vanishes leaving behind a floral and sandal fragrance. Desi was worried and heartbroken.
With a heavy heart he went to the temple to worship; his floral offerings kept falling off. Desi Behera heard a voice telling him that he was “The Father” and She would not accept him bowing before her.
She asked him for an invitation every two years to visit his home, her paternal place, where she’d spend a month, as would all other married daughters of Ganjam. She commanded him to appoint the first person he meets as her priest. On his way back home he meets the local barber who becomes her pujari.
Maa Budhi Thakurani: The Leveller
Unlike most Hindu temples where Brahmins are servitors and priests, strangely here the barber community is endowed sacred priesthood.
This unique tradition erases the caste divide, levels differences and promotes social harmony, exactly the way a benevolent mother promotes equality among her children.
