Bhubaneswar: A wave of religious fervor is sweeping across Odisha as the autumnal festival of Sharadiya Puja officially begins today, marking the first day of the Durga Puja festivities.
Known in the Hindu calendar as Mulashtami of the month of Ashwin, this day marks the beginning of the highly revered Sodasa Upachar Puja at all Shakti Peethas across the state.
The Sodasha Puja, a 16-day long ceremonial rite, has also begun at the Maa Ambika temple in Baripada, Mayurbhanj.
Maa Ambika is the presiding deity of Baripada and is revered as “The Living Goddess.” The temple is a significant pilgrimage site in the region, and festivals like Durga Puja and Basanti Puja are celebrated with great fervor.
The Sodasha Puja is a particularly important part of the Sharadiya Durga Puja, and during this period, devotees flock to the temple to offer prayers and participate in the rituals.
The special ‘Sodasha Upachar Puja’ has also begun at the Maa Bimala Temple on the premises of the Puri Srimandir. As per tradition, Puri’s Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb has entrusted 21 Brahmins from various sashanas (villages) to perform the puja, which is believed to bring prosperity and prevent natural calamities.
In Cuttack, the preparations at the ancient and powerful Maa Cuttack Chandi temple have begun in full swing, drawing a massive crowd of devotees.
The Sodasa Upachar Puja, a 16-step ritual of worship, commenced today with the sacred installation of Maa Cuttack Chandi. This elaborate ceremony, unique to the temples of Odisha, will continue throughout the Durga Puja season, culminating in the celebrations of Vijaya Dashami. Devotees believe that a glimpse of the Goddess during this auspicious period fulfills their deepest wishes.
Following the initial rituals, the temple is set to be a hub of divine spectacle as Maa Cuttack Chandi will be adorned in a series of different “Beshas” or divine attires. The first of these magnificent adornments, the “Suna Besha” or Golden Attire, will be presented to the Goddess today and tomorrow. This is a rare opportunity for devotees to witness the heavenly form of the deity, embellished with intricate gold ornaments.
In the coming days, the Goddess will also be presented in other revered forms, including Maa Bhubaneswari Besha, Ugratara Besha, Siddhaswari Besha, Narayani Besha, and Matangi Besha, each holding its own spiritual significance. With Mulashtami falling on a Sunday, the Cuttack Chandi temple is already experiencing a huge influx of devotees from various regions, all eager to participate in the sacred ceremonies and seek the blessings of the Mother Goddess.
The festive spirit for the Sharadiya Durga Puja has picked up. The Shodasha Upachara Puja rituals begin at Maa Biraja Temple. The Ratha Yatra (Chariot Festival) will also be celebrated for nine days. This year, the Sharadiya Durga Puja will be a 16-day celebration, starting from the eighth day of the dark fortnight of the month of Ashwina (October). This is a major festival at the temple, commemorating Maa Biraja’s victory over the demon Mahishasura.
The Sodasha Puja has also started at the Maa Sarala Temple. This is a 16-day long ceremonial rite that takes place during the Sharadiya Durga Puja. The puja starts from Moolastami and concludes on Durgastami. During this period, the goddess is dressed differently on each of the sixteen days, with a new Vesa (attire) for each day. Sodasha Upachara Puja is performed twice daily.
At the Maa Mangala Temple in Kakatpur, the Sodasha Upachara rituals began on the auspicious occasion of Mulashtami, following the traditional Sahasra Kumbhabhishek, a ritual bathing of the deity with a thousand pots of holy water.
The festive spirit, which has been building since the farewell of the monsoon season, is now expected to grip the entire state as the nine-day Navaratri and Durga Puja celebrations get underway. Security and crowd management measures are in place to ensure a smooth and sacred experience for the thousands of pilgrims expected to throng the temple in the coming days.