Bhubaneswar: Odisha, a land steeped in spiritual tradition, pulsates with unparalleled religious fervor as it celebrates Maha Ashtami, the eighth day of the Sharadiya Durga Puja.
This sacred day marks the pinnacle of Durga’s battle against the demon Mahishasura, and the goddess’s power, or Shakti, is invoked at countless temples and Shakti Pithas across the state.
The observances are particularly vibrant in ancient seats of goddess worship, such as the Maa Ambika Temple in Baripada and the site of the magnificent Chhatar Yatra in Bhawanipatna.
In the district of Mayurbhanj, the Maa Ambika Temple in Baripada is a central point of Maha Ashtami celebration. The goddess, worshipped here as Maa Ambika or the ‘Living Goddess,’ is an embodiment of strength, protection, and motherly benevolence.
On this auspicious day, the temple is thronged by devotees who arrive from far and wide to offer anjali (floral offerings) and participate in the special rituals.
The principal worship is performed with sixteen distinct offerings and services (Sodosha Upachara), dedicated to the fierce, yet benign, form of the Mother Goddess.
Chants from the Devi Mahatmya (Chandi Patha) reverberate through the temple precincts, accompanied by the sacred fire ritual (Homa Yagyan), invoking Maa Durga’s protection and blessings for all mankind.
Devotees stand in awe before the four-handed (Chaturbhuja) marble idol of Maa Ambika, seated on her lion, wielding divine weapons like the Trisula (trident) and Khadga (sword). She is believed to shower divine grace, fulfilling the sincere wishes of those who look upon her with faith.
The atmosphere is charged with a deep sense of spirituality, marked by the rhythmic clang of bells, the fragrance of incense, and the collective devotion of the gathered faithful.