The Varahi Deula of Chaurasi

The Varahi Deula of Chaurasi, also written the Barahi temple and known as the Chaurasi Varahi temple, is a Kalinga-style temple in the village of Chaurasi in the Prachi valley of Odisha. It is dedicated to the goddess Varahi, one of the mother goddesses of the Hindu tradition, and belongs to a distinctive barrel-vaulted form of Odishan shrine known as the khakhara deula. Generally dated to around the ninth to tenth centuries, it is noted both for its unusual roof and for its fine carving and Tantric associations. The temple belongs to the broad family of Odishan shrines surveyed in the guide to Indian temple architecture. This article explains its location, history, architectural form, imagery and living significance within the rich heritage of Odisha.

Key Takeaways

• The Varahi Deula is a Kalinga-style temple at Chaurasi in the Prachi valley of Odisha, dedicated to the goddess Varahi.
• It is built in the khakhara form, a barrel-vaulted roof type used in Odisha chiefly for goddess temples.
• The temple is generally dated to around the ninth to tenth centuries.
• Varahi is one of the mother goddesses, or Matrikas, worshipped in the Shakta and Tantric traditions.
• The shrine is noted for its carving and its associations with Tantric worship.
• It remains an active place of worship and a protected heritage monument.

The sections below explain where the temple stands, how it was built and what a visitor can still see today.

Quick Facts

What Is the Varahi Deula of Chaurasi?

The Varahi Deula of Chaurasi is a Kalinga-style temple dedicated to the goddess Varahi, standing in the village of Chaurasi in the Prachi valley of Odisha. It is noted above all for its barrel-vaulted roof, the form known in Odishan architecture as the khakhara deula, which is reserved chiefly for goddess shrines. Generally dated to around the ninth to tenth centuries, the temple belongs to a flourishing period of Odishan temple building and is prized for its carving and its associations with the Tantric Shakta tradition. What distinguishes the shrine is the combination of this unusual roof form with the worship of Varahi, one of the mother goddesses. Though modest in scale, it is of considerable interest for the study of religion and art. The Varahi Deula is therefore best understood as both a living goddess temple and a rare and valuable example of the khakhara form in Odisha.

Where Is Chaurasi Located?

Chaurasi is located in the Prachi valley of coastal Odisha, in the eastern part of India, within the region of fertile plains watered by the Prachi river. The village lies amid the cultivated countryside between the major centres of Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and the coast, in an area long settled and rich in shrines. This part of Odisha was an important heartland of Kalinga temple building, and the Prachi valley in particular preserves a number of old temples and sacred sites. The setting of Chaurasi is quiet and rural, away from the busier temple cities, which helps preserve the atmosphere of the shrine. Roads connect the village with the wider region. The location of Chaurasi therefore places the Varahi Deula within the historic sacred landscape of the Prachi valley, among the many temples and tirthas that make this stretch of coastal Odisha a region of deep religious heritage.

What Does the Khakhara Form Mean?

The khakhara form is one of the main types of Odishan temple, distinguished by its oblong sanctum crowned with a barrel-vaulted roof, and the Varahi Deula of Chaurasi is a notable example of it. Unlike the tall, curved and vertically ribbed tower of the rekha deula, or the pyramidal roof of the pidha hall, the khakhara roof is shaped like an elongated vault, resembling in outline the back of a gourd or the roof of a wagon. In Odisha this form is used chiefly for temples dedicated to goddesses, so that the khakhara roof came to be associated with Shakta shrines. The Varahi Deula follows this tradition, its goddess sanctum covered by the characteristic barrel vault. The form sets such temples apart within the Kalinga school. The khakhara form therefore helps explain the distinctive appearance of the Varahi Deula, marking it as a goddess temple of a special and relatively uncommon Odishan type.

Who Is the Goddess Varahi?

Varahi is a Hindu goddess, counted among the mother goddesses known as the Matrikas, to whom the Varahi Deula of Chaurasi is dedicated. In the tradition she is understood as a fierce and powerful form of the divine feminine, associated with the boar and often depicted with a boar’s head, reflecting her name, which is linked to the Sanskrit word for boar. As one of the Matrikas she belongs to a group of goddesses worshipped together in Shakta and Tantric contexts, each embodying a particular aspect of the Goddess’s power. Varahi is honoured as a protective and potent divinity, invoked in rites of the Tantric tradition. Her worship gives the Chaurasi temple its distinctive character. The goddess Varahi therefore stands at the heart of the shrine, her presence shaping both the dedication of the temple and the barrel-vaulted khakhara form traditionally used in Odisha for goddess temples such as this one.

When Was the Temple Built?

The Varahi Deula of Chaurasi is generally dated to around the ninth to tenth centuries, placing it within a flourishing period of Kalinga temple building in Odisha. Precise dating of such monuments is difficult, since inscriptions are scarce and the shrine has passed through long centuries of use and repair, so scholars prefer to give an approximate period rather than an exact year. The style of the temple, its khakhara form and the character of its carving are consistent with this early medieval dating. The construction is sometimes associated with the dynasties that ruled or influenced coastal Odisha in that era, though such attributions should be treated with appropriate care. The temple belongs to the broad current of Shakta and Tantric building of the time. The building of the Varahi Deula therefore reflects the religious life of early medieval Odisha, when goddess worship found expression in distinctive barrel-vaulted shrines like this one in the Prachi valley.

Why Is the Temple Associated with Tantric Worship?

The Varahi Deula is associated with Tantric worship because its dedication to the goddess Varahi and its place within the Shakta tradition connect it to the esoteric currents of medieval Indian religion. In the Shakta tradition the supreme divinity is conceived as the Goddess, worshipped in many forms both gentle and fierce, and the Tantric strands within it developed distinctive rites and a rich body of goddess imagery. Varahi, as one of the powerful mother goddesses, belongs to this world, and shrines dedicated to such goddesses often carried Tantric associations. The carving and imagery of the temple reflect the character of this devotion. As with all matters of ritual tradition, the specifics are best approached with respect and care. The association of the Varahi Deula with Tantric worship therefore places it within the broad and deeply rooted Shakta heritage of Odisha, where the worship of fierce and protective goddesses found enduring architectural expression.

What Is the Prachi Valley?

The Prachi valley is the region of coastal Odisha watered by the Prachi river, long revered as a sacred landscape and dotted with old temples and tirthas, among them the Varahi Deula of Chaurasi. The valley has been regarded by tradition as a holy stretch of country, associated with pilgrimage and with a wealth of shrines of various periods and dedications. Its fertile plains supported settlement and devotion over many centuries, and the river itself was held sacred. For students of Odishan heritage the Prachi valley is important as a concentrated zone of temples, sculpture and sacred sites beyond the great temple cities. The Varahi Deula is one of its notable monuments. The Prachi valley therefore provides the wider sacred setting of the Chaurasi temple, a landscape of rivers, fields and shrines that gives the Varahi Deula its context within the rich religious geography of coastal Odisha.

What Is the Layout of the Temple?

The layout of the Varahi Deula follows the pattern of an Odishan goddess temple, with an oblong sanctum housing the image of Varahi, covered by the barrel-vaulted khakhara roof and approached through an adjoining hall. The sanctum is the most sacred part of the shrine, where the goddess is enshrined and daily worship is offered. Before it stands a hall in which worshippers gather, in the manner of Kalinga temples, so that a visitor passes from the entrance through the hall toward the image. The whole stands within its precinct in the village. The relatively modest scale of the temple concentrates attention on the sanctum and its goddess. This arrangement reflects both the Odishan building tradition and the needs of goddess worship. The layout of the Varahi Deula therefore combines the established plan of a Kalinga temple with the particular form reserved for goddess shrines, framing the image of Varahi beneath its distinctive barrel vault.

What Does the Main Image Show?

The main image of the Varahi Deula shows the goddess Varahi enshrined in the sanctum as the focus of worship, in keeping with her character as a powerful mother goddess. In the Hindu tradition Varahi is associated with the boar and is often depicted with a boar’s head, holding attributes appropriate to her role and seated or standing in a posture expressing her potency. The image at Chaurasi gives devotees a sacred presence before which to make their offerings and prayers. Worked in stone and honoured with the customary rites, the figure embodies the protective and fierce aspects of the Goddess. As with many ancient images, its details reflect long tradition and continuing devotion. The main image of the Varahi Deula therefore lies at the heart of the shrine, giving concrete form to the worship of the goddess and anchoring the religious life of this distinctive barrel-vaulted temple in the Prachi valley.

What Are the Carvings Like?

The carvings of the Varahi Deula are among the reasons the temple is prized, for its walls and surfaces carry the ornament and figurative sculpture characteristic of Odishan shrines. In the Kalinga manner, the stone is treated as a field for decoration, with carved mouldings, decorative motifs and figures worked across the exterior. The sculpture reflects the skill of Odishan craftsmen and the imagery appropriate to a goddess temple, including divine figures, attendants and ornamental designs. Some of the carving carries the distinctive character of Shakta and Tantric shrines. Weathering and the passage of time have affected some surfaces, yet much detail survives to reward close attention. The carvings extend the beauty of the temple beyond its unusual roof to its very walls. The carvings of the Varahi Deula therefore combine devotional meaning with artistic value, ranking the shrine among the notable examples of Odishan temple sculpture in the Prachi valley.

What Materials and Techniques Were Used?

The Varahi Deula was built of stone in the manner of Kalinga temple builders, who raised their shrines by assembling dressed sandstone blocks fitted closely together without mortar in the traditional Indian way. The barrel-vaulted khakhara roof demanded careful cutting and placing of the stones to achieve its elongated, vaulted shape, a form that set such temples apart from the curved towers of other Odishan shrines. Masons worked the walls, mouldings and sculpture with chisels to produce the layered ornament of the style. The assembly of sanctum, hall and roof formed a unified structure. These methods allowed the temple to endure for centuries, though not without weathering and repair. The modest scale belies the care of the work. The materials and techniques of the Varahi Deula therefore show how the skilled stone building of the Kalinga tradition was applied to a goddess temple, producing the distinctive barrel-vaulted form that marks the shrine at Chaurasi.

How Does It Fit Kalinga Architecture?

The Varahi Deula fits within Kalinga architecture as an example of the khakhara type, one of the recognised forms of the Odishan temple tradition alongside the towered rekha deula and the pyramidal-roofed pidha hall. Kalinga architecture, which developed in Odisha and the surrounding region, produced some of the most admired temples in India, rich in carved ornament and organised according to a well defined set of forms and proportions. Within this tradition the khakhara roof, with its barrel vault, was used chiefly for goddess temples, and the Varahi Deula represents this special category. The shrine therefore shares the materials, techniques and ornamental vocabulary of the wider school while displaying its own distinctive roof. It belongs to the same family as the great temples of Bhubaneswar and Puri. The Varahi Deula therefore illustrates the range of Kalinga architecture, showing how the Odishan tradition embraced not only soaring towers but also the barrel-vaulted form reserved for the Goddess.

What Is the Religious Significance Today?

The religious significance of the Varahi Deula today lies in its role as a living goddess temple within the enduring Shakta tradition of Odisha, where the worship of the Goddess in her many forms remains deeply rooted. As a shrine of Varahi, one of the powerful mother goddesses, the temple continues to attract devotion from those who honour the Goddess. Its place in the sacred landscape of the Prachi valley adds to its importance, binding it to the wider network of temples and tirthas of the region. For worshippers the temple is a place of prayer and offering; for scholars and visitors it is a valuable monument of goddess worship and Odishan art. The continuity of devotion keeps the shrine alive. The religious significance of the Varahi Deula therefore combines living worship with heritage value, making the temple both a focus of faith and a window into the Shakta traditions of coastal Odisha.

How Does It Compare With Other Odishan Temples?

The Varahi Deula compares with the other temples of Odisha as a goddess shrine of the khakhara type within a tradition famous above all for its towered temples. The great Odishan temples, concentrated in cities such as Bhubaneswar and at celebrated sites across the state, are renowned for their soaring curved towers and rich sculpture. The Varahi Deula shares the Kalinga style and craftsmanship of these monuments but is distinguished by its barrel-vaulted roof, reserved for goddess temples, and by its more modest scale. Comparing it with the better known shrines reveals both the consistency of the Kalinga tradition and the way it provided distinct forms for different deities. It also highlights the special place of goddess temples within Odishan architecture. The Varahi Deula therefore complements the famous temples of Odisha, reminding visitors that the tradition embraced not only the towered shrines of the gods but also the barrel-vaulted temples of the Goddess.

How Is the Temple Protected and Preserved?

The Varahi Deula is preserved through official heritage protection together with continuing worship, as with many historic monuments in Odisha. The authorities responsible for safeguarding ancient monuments document, conserve and protect the shrine, while devotees maintain its religious life. Challenges include the weathering of the sandstone, the effects of moisture and vegetation in the humid coastal climate, and the wear of time on the carved surfaces. Conservation work aims to stabilise the structure and protect the carving without altering the original design, using methods that respect historic materials. Because the precise arrangements and status of a monument can change, visitors are advised to consult current information from official heritage bodies before travelling. Respectful behaviour, including not touching the carvings, also helps protect the delicate sculpture. The preservation of the Varahi Deula therefore depends on cooperation between officials, worshippers and visitors who value its rare place in the heritage of the Prachi valley.

The Varahi Deula Today

The Varahi Deula of Chaurasi today remains both a living goddess shrine and a treasured monument of Odishan heritage. Its barrel-vaulted khakhara roof, its image of Varahi and its fine carving continue to draw devotees, scholars and travellers interested in the Shakta tradition and the temples of the Prachi valley. Though modest in size and less widely known than the great temples of Bhubaneswar and Puri, it is of considerable importance as an example of the khakhara form and of goddess worship in Odisha. Continued conservation, respectful tourism and scholarly study help ensure that it endures for future generations. For those exploring the sacred landscape of coastal Odisha, the temple offers a quiet and memorable encounter with the worship of the Goddess. The Varahi Deula thus stands as a lasting witness to the Shakta heritage of the Prachi valley and to the richness and variety of Kalinga temple architecture.

Sources & Further Reading

• Archaeological Survey of India (asi.nic.in).
• Department of Tourism, Government of Odisha (odishatourism.gov.in).

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Varahi Deula of Chaurasi located?

The Varahi Deula is located in the village of Chaurasi in the Prachi valley of coastal Odisha. It lies amid the countryside between Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and the coast, in a region rich in old temples and sacred sites.

What is the Varahi Deula known for?

The temple is known as a goddess shrine dedicated to Varahi and built in the barrel-vaulted khakhara form, used in Odisha chiefly for goddess temples. It is prized for its carving and its associations with the Tantric Shakta tradition.

Who is the goddess Varahi?

Varahi is a Hindu goddess counted among the mother goddesses, or Matrikas, and associated with the boar, often depicted with a boar’s head. She is worshipped as a fierce and protective form of the Goddess in the Shakta and Tantric traditions.

What does khakhara mean?

Khakhara is the name of an Odishan temple form with an oblong sanctum crowned by a barrel-vaulted roof. In Odisha this form is used chiefly for temples dedicated to goddesses, as at the Varahi Deula.

How old is the Varahi Deula?

The temple is generally dated to around the ninth to tenth centuries, within a flourishing period of Kalinga temple building. Precise dating is difficult, so an approximate period is usually given rather than an exact year.

Is the Varahi Deula still used for worship?

Yes, the temple remains an active goddess shrine as well as a protected heritage monument. Visitors should behave respectfully and avoid touching the carved surfaces.