Puri Mausi Maa Temple

Puri Mausi Maa Temple

The Mausi Maa temple in Puri of Odisha is a symbol of devotion, faith and relationship. Goddess Ardhashani is known as the aunt of Lord Jagannath. Lord Jagannath has an emotional connection with Mausima Temple located on the Grand road.

This small temple was built by a King of the Keshari dynasty. Mausi Maa (the mother’s sister) is revered as the aunt of Lord Jagannath. The word ‘Mausi Maa’ is a blend of two words, ‘Mausi’ and ‘Maa’. In Odia language ‘Mausi’ means ‘Aunt’ and ‘Maa’ means ‘mother’ or in this case ‘Goddess’. She is regarded as one of the eight Shaktis (ashta- shakti) of Srikshetra Jagannath Puri.

As per Jagannath mythology, once Goddess Lakshmi Devi left Shri Mandira, and thus Jagannath and Balabhadra become poor and had to go out for begging. When Jagannath and Balabhadra were out during that time, Subhadra Devi was staying with Mausi Maa (Maternal Aunt).

Mausi Maa is also termed as Ardhashosini. It has been mentioned in the Vaisanava Kanda of the Skanda Purana that Goddess Ardhashosini drank half of the sea water that flooded Puri and saved the abode of Shri Jagannath. Goddess Ardhashosini with Kapalamochana Shiva, act as the guardians of the Shree Kshetra.

Mausi Maa temple is closely associated with Lord Jagannath’s Rath yatra festival. As per the rituals of the Rath yatra, on the day of Bahuda Jatra (Ulta-Rath), the chariots of the trinity stop in front of this temple for a while. Here, Lord Jagannath accepts his favorite rice cake known as ‘Poda Pitha’ (a kind of baked cake made in lentils and rice) from his aunt.The cake that is offered to Lord Jagannath by his aunt (Mausi maa) is known as ‘Suropamanohi’.