Varahi Temple, Chaurasi

The Varahi Temple stands in the village of Chaurasi, a short drive from Puri in the Prachi Valley. Built of sandstone during Somavamsi rule, the east-facing shrine follows a Pancharatha plan, and its rectangular sanctum is topped by a half-cylinder roof in the Khakhara style. Latticed windows and a niche image of Surya are among its carvings.

The presiding goddess, known locally as Matsya Varahi, has a boar's face, a pot belly and a third eye, and holds a fish and a vessel. Fish is offered to her daily, and tantric rites are still performed here. The village also has a Laxminarayan Temple and an image of Nilamadhab.