Barunei Hills and Temple

Barunei Hills and Temple is a hilltop Shakti shrine located on Barunei Hill near Khordha town in Khordha district, Odisha, about 8 km from Khordha and 30 km from Bhubaneswar. Dedicated to Goddess Barunei, the temple is set amid forested hills with panoramic views and a perennial spring. The site combines religious importance, natural scenery and remains of the historic Khordha Fort, attracting pilgrims and day visitors.

Visitors can expect a forested hill landscape accessed by a flight of stone steps leading to the Maa Barunei Temple at the hilltop. The temple complex is small with a sanctum housing the deity, surrounded by open courtyards and viewpoints overlooking the Khordha plains. The area includes natural vegetation, a small spring stream, and remnants of old fort walls nearby. The visit involves a short uphill trek, darshan, photography of the landscape, and exploring the hill surroundings.

Barunei Hills are historically associated with the Khordha Kingdom and its Paika warriors, who worshipped Goddess Barunei as their presiding deity before battles. Remains of Khordha Fort are located on the hill range, reflecting its past as a defensive stronghold of the Khordha rulers.

The temple is a revered Shakti shrine dedicated to Maa Barunei, considered a guardian deity of the Khordha region. It holds significant religious importance for local devotees and sees large gatherings during Navratri, Dussehra and Durga Puja for darshan and rituals.