The Vimala Temple (also written as Bimala or Vimala Peeth) is a very sacred Shakti Peeth located inside the Jagannath Temple complex, Puri (Odisha). It is considered one of the 51 Shakti Peethas, where Goddess Sati’s feet are believed to have fallen. Maa Vimala is worshipped here as the consort of Lord Jagannath (a form of Vishnu).
Rameshwari Setubandhe Vimala Purushotame
Virja Odra Deshe Cha Kamakshya Nila Parvate
That is, Devi Rameshwari is on the Setubandhe (bridge), Vimala is in the Purushottam region, she is Biraja Devi in the Odra country, and is present in the form of Kamakhya on the Blue Mountain.
About Solapuja (sometimes written Shola Puja or Shola Yatra):
❀ In Puri, Solapuja is a special ritual performed in Maa Vimala Temple during the Durga Puja / Dussehra period.
❀ It refers to a 16-part puja (Sola = sixteen) performed in honor of Maa Vimala / Durga.
This puja includes the Shodashopachara Vidhi (16 offerings).
❀ During Navratri and Dussehra, special Solapuja rituals are conducted with grandeur at Vimala Temple.
Gosani Yatra in Jagannath Puri
Step-by-Step Solapuja at Vimala Temple
1. Achamana & Sankalpa (Purification & Resolve)
❀ The priest performs purification with water (Achamana).
❀ A Sankalpa (vow) is taken to worship Maa Vimala with the 16 offerings.
2. Avahana (Invocation)
❀ Goddess Vimala is invoked into the idol / murti with mantras.
❀ She is invited to accept the worship.
3. Asana Samarpana (Offering Seat)
❀ A decorated seat or altar is symbolically offered to the Devi.
4. Padya (Washing of Feet)
❀ Symbolic offering of water to wash the Divine Mother’s feet.
5. Arghya (Offering of Water)
❀ Fragrant water is offered for cleansing hands.
6. Achamana (Sipping Water)
❀ Sacred water is given to the deity symbolically for purification.
7. Snana (Bathing Ritual)
❀ The murti is bathed with water, milk, curd, honey, ghee, and again purified with water.
❀ During Dussehra, special herbs and scented water are also used.
8. Vastra Samarpana (Offering Clothes)
❀ New garments (sari or cloth) are offered to Maa Vimala.
9. Alankara (Decoration & Ornaments)
❀ The deity is adorned with flowers, ornaments, sandal paste, vermilion, turmeric, and sacred decorations.
10. Gandha, Pushpa, Bilwa Patra
❀ Sandal paste, flowers, and sacred Bilwa (Bel) leaves are offered.
11. Dhupa (Incense Offering)
❀ Fragrant incense is waved before Maa Vimala.
12. Deepa (Lamp Offering)
❀ Lamps with ghee or oil are lit and offered – signifying removal of darkness.
13. Naivedya (Food Offering)
❀ Sacred bhoga (Naivedya) is offered.
❀ At Vimala Peeth, Jagannath Mahaprasad itself is offered to the Goddess – only after this, Mahaprasad is considered complete and becomes fit for devotees.
14. Tambula & Dakshina
❀ Betel leaves, areca nuts, and symbolic coins / offerings are presented.
15. Pushpanjali (Flower Offering)
❀ Devotees and priests offer flowers at the feet of Maa Vimala while chanting hymns.
16. Aarti & Pradakshina (Final Worship)
❀ A grand Maha Aarti with conch, bells, and lamps is performed.
❀ Devotees circumambulate (pradakshina) around the sanctum.
❀ The puja concludes with prayers for protection, prosperity, and liberation.
Special significance of Vimala Peetha in Puri:
❀ Mother Vimala is considered the presiding deity (protector goddess) of the Jagannath Temple.
❀ Without first offering Mahaprasad at Vimal Peetha, the offerings to Lord Jagannath are not considered sacred.
❀ During Navratri and Dussehra, the puja is performed with full Tantric and Vedic rituals, often lasting late into the night.
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