Puri: The Holy City of Puri is once again celebrated its culturally distinct festival, the Gosani Yatra, which is the local and indigenous celebration of Durga Puja.
The festival, which transformed the historic street-lanes (Sahis) into vibrant cultural hubs, focuses on the worship of massive, folk-style clay idols of Goddess Durga, known locally as “Gosanis.”
The main festivities are aligned with the Sharadiya Durga Puja and Dussehra celebrations in the Hindu month of Ashvina, falling in 17 September to 16 October.
Puri’s Gosanis feature a uniquely fierce and intense depiction of Goddess Durga engaged in direct combat with the buffalo demon, Mahishasura.
The festival is set to climax with the spectacular Bhasani Yatra procession, where all the Gosani idols converge. On the day following Vijaya Dashami, the idols are carried in a colorful, energetic parade to the Simhadwara (Lion’s Gate) of the Shree Jagannath Temple to offer a final tribute to Lord Jagannath, before proceeding for immersion in the nearby rivers or the sea.
Authorities have initiated preparatory meetings to ensure smooth management of the massive crowds, particularly during the climactic Bhasani Yatra, focusing on traffic control and security arrangements across the city.
The Gosani Yatra remains a powerful testament to Puri’s enduring folk traditions and its vibrant blend of Vaishnavite (Jagannath) and Shakta (Durga) worship.