Upper Bagh Devi Temple

Upper Bagh Devi Temple is an ancient shrine at Kulada, Ganjam District in the state of Odisha.The presiding deity of the temple is Goddess Bagh Devi. This hilltop temple is accessed by 285 (approx) steps. Another shrine of Goddess Bagh Devi has been built at the foot of the hill.

Its widely believed that there were three sisters (including Upper Bagh Devi). One is more upper of current Upper Bagh Devi Temple is also called as Bada Raula (means big sister) and there is another temple simply called as Bagh Devi (youngest sister) near to Jagannath Temple. People say that these three sisters always fought each other for Coconut and then once decided that they can divide the region among three of them who will stay where. So they threw three Lotta (type of rounded drinking container widely used in Orissa for drinking water). One stuck in the same place where Bada Raula is staying currently, second one stuck in the place where today called as Upper Bagh Devi and the third one was fallen into a Pond which currently a temple which is below the ground level.

Then Kavi Samrat Upendra Bhanja got indication from Devi (through dream) that he may need to build temple in all these three places. Gradually the temple were built and renovated but the Bada Raula’s Temple was never built since it is very difficult to go there due to it’s steepness and moreover there are no steps to go there even now.

The temple celebrates the Sankranti day on a grand scale. After every three years the Thakurani Yatra is celebrated with much pomp and show. The Rath Yatra is also organised by the temple in grand way. In the vicinity of the temple few other shrines dedicated to Lord Jagannath, Mausimaa and Ratneswar Mahadev have been built.