The legend of Kalijai – how a simple girl turned into a revered goddess! There are a lot of mysteries about this small island in Chilka and how the temple of Kalijai came into being.
The island named Kalijaai is one of the islands in Asia’s biggest lagoon, Chilka. In this island there is a temple dedicated to Goddess Kalijai. It revolves round a legend of a young girl named Jaai.
The legend of Kalijai is about a tragic incident which took place hundreds of years ago in Odisha’s Chilka lake. A newly married young girl was on her way to in-law’s place in Parikud accompanied by her father. They had to take a ferry to go across to the other side of the lake. All of a sudden, a severe storm arose and the boat they were traveling in capsized.
As fate would have it, the father of the girl and the boatmen survived but unfortunately the newly married girl Jaai got drowned in the turbulent waters of the Chilka lake. Her body also could not be recovered.
This tragic incident sent a wave of sorrow through the local people who later believed that Jaai had become a Goddess named Kali. Many boatmen claim to have heard her calling out to them in a low voice.
The legend also states that shortly after the drowning incident, Jaai appeared in the dream of her father-in-law or the King of Parikud. She requested him to allow her spirit to stay in that particular spot and hence she wanted a temple to be built in her honor.
Hearing about this dream, the King of Bankad (Sri Jagannath Mansingh) ordered a historical shrine to be constructed in the year 1717.
Another Belief About The legend of Kalijai
There is another version to this story which states that she appeared in the dream of a fisherman. Then guiding him to a place under the waters of the lagoon from where her idol was retrieved.
Jaai then came to be known as Kalijaai, an incarnation of Goddess Kali. She is the guardian deity who protect the travellers, giving them safe passage across the lake.
Every year a huge fair is organized on this island in January during the Makar Sankranti. The festival attracts thousands of pilgrims from across Odisha.
Whenever anyone wishes to go across the lagoon, they first of all have to offer prayers to Goddess Kalijaai for their safety. Pandit Godabarish Mishra, a famous poet has written a poem describing the story of Kalijaai.
Apart from this legendary story, it is also a very popular tourist spot especially for bird lovers. Surrounded by picturesque scenery especially during winter season, Chilka lake is a home to different types of migratory birds.
