October - 2012 Odisha Review

Antiquity of Durga Puja in Odisha

Om Prakash

Various accounts exist which ascribe the origin of Shodasa Upachara, which starts from 7 days
Durga Puja in the state of Odisha. All historical earlier to Mahalaya and ends on Vijayadashami
accounts agree on the influence from other regions known as Dussehra. Goddess Durga is also
although some mythological accounts describe an worshiped by devotees in different Pandals
independent origin. across the state. The Pandals are beautifully
Durga Puja is a festival, which is observed decorated decrative.
for ten days. Odisha being the land of Lord of According to Markandeya Purana the
Universe Shree Jagannath, the land of sacred King of Chaitra/Chedi dynasty Raja Suratha
Hindu Kingdom, the land of started rituals of Durga Puja
Santha, (saint), Muni/Rusi during 300 BC. The Chaitra
(hermit) Raja and Maharaja, the dynasty belongs to Kalinga
royals of Odisha patronage (modern Odisha). Durga Puia
annual Sharodiyo Utsav before has different names in different
the state's unification with Puranas and Sastras. In Devi
Republic of India. The Durga Purana and Kalika Purana it is
Puja is celebrated in two different named as Vijaya Dashami. It is
ways in Odisha. In Shakti named as Maha Parbana in
Peethas (temples of Goddesses) Devi Mahatmya and Dussehra
the Durga Puja is observed with in Markandeya Purana.
proper rituals for 3 to 16 days
known as Tridinatmaka (3 days The present form of worship of
from Astami, Nabami and Durga with earthen idol in Odisha
Vijayadashami), was started during the reign of
Panchadinatmaka (5 days from Ganga King Chodaganga Dev in
Sasthi, Saptami, Astami, Nabami and the 11th century at Puri. The earthen idol of
Vijayadashami), Nabadinatmaka (9 days from Mahishamarddini Durga is known as Gosani and
Ashwina Ditiyaa to Vijayadashami) the Dussehra festival is known as Gosani Yatra.
Shodadinatmaka (16 days from Mulastami to It is noteworthy that the co-worship of
Vijayadashami) by Panchama Upachara and Mahishamarddini Durga with Madhava (Lord

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Odisha Review October - 2012

Jagannath) is prevalent from 11th century, Eastern ornamentation was done entirely in gold and silver.
Ganga dynasty period, in Puri. The bejeweled Devi in Cuttack’s Durga Puja
attracts huge congregation from all over the world.
Before the concept of Sarvajanin Durga
Puja started, it was being conducted by princely A substantial increase in funding has led
houses and the first such Puja being conducted to the gold plating of the ornamentation. Now it
anywhere in the world at the same venue and is known as “Suna Medho” (Suna means Gold).
continuing till date is in Odisha. It is at A few other Pujas in Cuttack now have silver
Rameswarpur in Bhadrak district of the state, ornaments, too.
where it was started about four centuries ago by The Durga Puja festivities are also
the Mahashay family who migrated in from prominent in Maa Katak Chandi Temple. Maa
Kotarang near Howrah as a part of Todarmal’s Cuttack Chandi is the presiding deity of Cuttack.
famous survey of India during Emperor Akbar’s The goddess popularly called as Maa Katak
rule. Chandi, sits and rules on the heart of the ancient
Close view of Cuttack’s Durga Puja city. She is worshiped as Bhuvaneswari. Maa
Chandi is worshipped in 16 incarnations
It is said that in the year 1512 to 1517
(Sodasha Abatara) of Durga during the Puja. In
AD Chaitanya Deva had come to Cuttack, the
Cuttack, people deeply devote Maa Katak
capital of Gajapati Empire of Odisha and the then
Chandi as ‘The Living Goddess’.
emperor of Odisha Gajapati Pratap Rudra Dev
received him at Gadagadia Ghata situated near The grand Pujas are being celebrated
the river bank of Mahanadi very close to the kings country wide but particularly as special
palace popularly known as Barabati fort. In that celebration in Odisha.
year Shree Chaitanya Deva started Durga Puja One reason for the wide acceptance of
at Binod Bihari temple presently known as Balu Durga Puja is the importance of Maa Tarini, who
Bazaar. Further it is also believed that Netaji is considered one of the embodiments of Shakti
Subhas Chandra Bose, whose birthplace, is in Odia culture. In addition, the state is close to
Cuttack had organized Durga puja with great Bengal and the people share a common socio-
pomp and show to organize youngsters in British cultural history spanning millennia. Odisha is home
India exactly like Lokamanya Balagangadhar to many important shrines dedicated to the
Tilak had done it at Maharastra (the Ganesh Goddess; great festivities are organised there
Utsav). The first recorded Sarvajanin Durga during Durga Puja and Kali Puja.
Puja in the state is said to have been in the year
It is thus one of the prime festivals of
1832 in the Kazi Bazaar area of Cuttack.
Odisha as well. People in Odisha celebrate it on
A Pandal in Odisha is called “Medho”. a large scale. The Goddess Durga is among the
For many years, the most expensive installation sacred Goddesses of Odisha. The celebrations
was the Chaandi Tarakasi Merrha (Chaandi are quite similar to the neighbouring state of West
Tarakasi means pure Silver filigree ornaments) of Bengal.
Choudhuri Bazaar, Alisha Bazaar, Kazi Bazaa,
Buxi Bazaar, Daragha Bazaar, Balu Bazaar,
Sankarpur, Shikharpur area of Cuttack. The Om Prakash, Qr No:E/208, Unit-8, Bhubaneswar-751012.

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