Vimala Temple

The Vimala Temple stands inside the Jagannath Temple complex at Puri on the Odisha coast. Though a small shrine beside the main tower, Shakta and Tantric worshippers revere it as one of the holiest Shakti Pithas dedicated to the Goddess. Its icon of Vimala, the tantric consort of Jagannath, dates to the 500s.

The sandstone and laterite Deula-style building was probably raised in the 800s under the Eastern Ganga dynasty, perhaps on the ruins of an older Somavashi shrine; temple tradition credits the Somavashi king Yayati Keshari with its foundation. The philosopher Adi Shankara is said to have made Vimala the presiding goddess of his Govardhana matha at Puri.

Devotees visit Vimala before Jagannath, and food offered to Jagannath becomes Mahaprasad only after it is also offered to her. A sixteen-day Durga Puja culminating in Vijayadashami is held here every autumn.