Kanak Durga Temple, Motia

The Kanak Durga Temple stands near Krushnaprasad village, in the Nua Satanga and Motia area of Cuttack district, Odisha, and is dedicated to Mahishamardini and Chamunda. Sculptures found here by the Archaeological Survey of India date the shrine to Somavamsi rule in the 10th century. It is reached from Phulnakhara square near Niali, and buses run regularly to Niali from Bhubaneswar, 65 km away.

The main image is a four-armed goddess killing Mahishasura, holding a conch and a discus in her upper hands, while her lower hands hold a trident and rest on the buffalo-headed demon. The temple also has an eight-armed Durga in which the demon appears in human form and her lion attacks him from behind; its style matches the Durga of the Baitala temple and points to the 9th century. An image of Surya is also worshipped here.