History of Durga Puja in Orissa
Various accounts exist which describe the origin of Durga Puja in the state of Orissa. Some historical accounts agree on the influence from other regions although some mythological accounts describe an independent origin.
Durga Puja is a festival, which is observed for 10 days. The Durga Puja is celebrated in two different ways in Orissa. In Shakti peethas (temples of goddess) the Durga Puja is observed with proper rituals for 16 days,starting from Krishnapaksha Ashtami to Shukla paksha Navami of Hindu Oriya Calender known as Shodasa dinatmak Upachara. Goddess Durga is also worshiped by devotees in different pendals in form deities across the state. The pendals are usually decorated beautifully.
According to Markandeya Purana the King of Chedi dynasty Suratha started rituals of Durga Puja during 300B.C. The Chedi dynasty belongs to Kalinga(modern Orissa). Durga Puia has different names in different Puranas and Sastras. In Devi Purana & Kalika Purana it is named as Vijaya Dashami. It is named as Mahaparbana in Devi Mahatmya and Duseehera in Markandeya Purana.
The present form of worship of Durga with earthen idol in Orissa was started during the reign of Ganga King Chodaganga Dev in the 11th century at Puri. The earthen idol of Mahishamardini Durga is known as Gosani and the Dussehra fesival is known as Gosani Yatra. It is noteworthy that the co-worship of Mahisamardini Durga with Madhava (Lord Jagannath) is prevalent from 11th century, Ganga period, in Puri.
It is said that in the year 1512 to 1517 Chaitanya Deva had come to Cuttack, the capital of Gajapati empire of Orissa and the then emperor Gajapati Pratap Rudra Dev received him at Gadagadia Ghata situated near the river bank of Mahanadi very close to the kings Palace popularly known as Barabati Fort. In that year Sri Chaitanya Deva started Durga puja at Binod Bihari temple presently known as Balu Bazar.
The earliest known Durga Puja being conducted at the same venue anywhere is in Orissa, which is about 400 years old. This started after the Ghosh Mahashaya family migrated from Kotarang near Howrah to settle down at Rameswarpur in Bhadrak district of the state. They came along with Todarmal during his famed survey of India and brought the tradition of Sharadiya Durga Puja to Orissa.
[edit]Durga Puja Rituals
The festival of Durga Puja starts with Mahalaya, the first phase of the waxing moon in Aswin. Thousands offer prayers to their ancestors at the city's river banks or secred ponds, a ritual called Tarpana. The inauguration of the Goddess idol starts on Mahashasthi. The main puja is for three days - Mahasaptami, Mahaastami, Mahanavami. The puja rituals are long and very detailed and complicated. Three days of Mantras and Shlokas and Arati and offerings - needs an expert priest to do this kind of Puja. Because of this, the number of Pujas privately conducted by families has reduced and Durga Puja has emerged as a community festival.
[edit]Mahashashthi
On this day Goddess Durga arrives to the mortal world from her heavenly abode, accompanied by her children. She is welcomed with much fanfare amidst the beats of traditional drums. Unveiling the face of the idol is the main ritual on this day. Bel Baran or Kalaparambho, the ritual performed before the commencement of the puja precedes Chakhyu daan, Amontron and Adibas.
[edit]Mahasaptami
Saptami is the first day of Durga puja. The tiny banana plant or Nabapatrika is given a pre-dawn bath. This is an ancient ritual of worshiping nine types of plants. They are together worshiped as a symbol of the goddess. The main Saptami Puja follows Kalparambho and Mahasnan.
[edit]Mahaastami
The day began with a recital of Sanskrit hymns in community puja pandals as thousands of devotees offered anjali to the goddess. Kumari Puja or the worship of little girls as the child goddess was a special part of the rituals observed in a number of traditional and household pujas. As the day wore on, it was time for the important Sandhi Puja, which marks the inter-linking of the Maha Ashtami and Maha Navami. In recent times Boiti-Kakharu (Pumpkin) sacrifice replaced animal sacrifice in various parts of the state. The Oriya women of western Orissa and adjoining Chattisgarh celebrate Bhaijiutia on the Mahastami Day of Durga Puja. It is a total fasting undertaken by women for the whole day and night to seek Goddess Durga's blessing for the long life of their bhais (brothers).
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This is the concluding day of Durga Puja. The main Navami puja begins after the end of Sandhi Puja. The Navami Bhog is offered to the goddess. This is later par taken as prasad by the devotees.In the day of Navami the Oriya households organise Navami Bhoji(Navami feast) and invite friends,relatives.In this day they prepare typical Oriya delicasies (both Veg and non-veg items).
[edit]Vijaya Dashami or Dussehra
After the three days of Puja, in Dashami, in the last day, after the last ritual Aparajita Puja is offered to Goddess, a tearful farewell is offered to the her. The women offer Dahi-Pakhal(cooked rice soaked in water and curd), Pitha(baked cake), Mitha(sweets) and Fish fry to goddess. Most of the community pujas postpone the farewell as long as possible and arrange a grand send-off. The images are carried in processions known as Bhasani Jatra or Bisarjan Jatra around the locality and finally are immersed in a nearby river or lake. Vijoya Dashami is an event celebrated all over the country. After the immersion of the idol people across the state celebrate "Ravan Podi"(burn the huge idol of demon Ravana)
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