Varahi Deula, Sacred Hindu temple in Chaurasi, India

Varahi Deula is a 10th-century sandstone temple facing east, measuring 15.84 m by 8.23 m by 8.40 m. Its rectangular vimana, 18 by 22 ft with a 27 ft vaulted roof, follows the Khakhara or Gaurichara type, and the jagamohana is a pidha temple with seven tiers. A relief band below the baranda shows Ramayana scenes, including the illusory deer, Sita's abduction and the killing of Jatayu.

Varahi Deula was built in the first quarter of the 10th century AD under Somavamsi rule, in honour of the goddess Varahi. It is an east-facing sandstone temple measuring 15.84 m by 8.23 m by 8.40 m. The Tamil source credits its foundation to the Kalinga rulers of the 10th century.

Local people call the goddess Matsya Varahi, and she is worshipped with tantric rituals: a fish is offered to her every day. The main image holds a fish in her right hand and a kapala in her left, seated in lalitasana with her right foot on a buffalo. The Mahaprasad of Lord Jagannath is brought to this temple daily, and a fair is held in Chaitra.

Chaurasi lies on the Nimapada–Kakatpur road, 30 km from Konark, 14 km from Kakatpur and about 56 km from Bhubaneswar. The usual approach is to drive 29 km to Charichhaka, turn right for 3 km to Amareshwar, then left for 1.8 km. Buses from Bhubaneswar toward Kakatpur stop near Tulasipur, from where an autorickshaw covers the last 2 km. Puja is held only in the early morning; the person in charge admits visitors.

The Jagamohana carries a single continuous relief band just below the baranda showing scenes from the Ramayana: the killing of the illusory deer, the abduction of Sita, the murder of Jatayu, the uprooting of seven palm trees, the murder of Vali and the building of the bridge over the sea. The Vimana measures 18 by 22 feet at its base and rises 27 feet.