Cuttack,29th Sept 2025: On the second day of Navaratri Puja, the Shakti Peethas of Cuttack reverberated with the chants of mantras. Rituals including homa (fire rituals) and other sacred rites are being performed at temples.
The presiding deity of Cuttack city, Maa Cuttack Chandi, is giving darshan in her Matangi avatar.
Maa Gadachandi is seen in her Bagalamukhi form,
while Maa Jhanjirimangala appears in her Chamunda form.
As today marks the 10th day of the 16-day ritual and the 2nd day of Navaratri, special independent pujas and rituals are being carried out at all the Shakti Peethas. Large crowds of devotees are seen visiting the temples with the belief that darshan of the Goddess during this time absolves all sins.
Maa Bhagabati as Brahmacharini
Salepur – On the 10th day of the festival, Maa Bhagabati, the revered goddess of Salepur, gave darshan to devotees in her Brahmacharini form. A large number of devotees gathered to witness this special form, as the Goddess appears in various divine forms each day of Navaratri.
Kakatpur: Goddess Mangala as Kalakali
Kakatpur – On the second day of Navapatrika puja, Shakti temples across the state are adorning the Goddess in various attires. At the Kakatpur Maa Mangala temple, the Goddess was seen in her Kalakali (fierce black) form.
The rituals are being conducted with great devotion and strict adherence to tradition. After morning ablutions and purification, rituals like offering incense (dhupa) in the morning, noon, and evening were performed. The deity was bathed again in the evening before being adorned in the Kalakali attire.
Later, after symbolically defeating Mahishasura, the Goddess’s veil was removed to allow darshan. While most Shakti goddesses observe Brahmacharini form only on the third day of Navapatrika, Maa Mangala is considered eternally Brahmacharini, as per the Madala Panji (temple chronicle).
Asika: Worship of Devi as Brahmacharini
Asika – From village to town, Sharadiya Durgotsav is being celebrated widely. On the second day of the nine-day Navaratri, Maa Khambeshwari Thakurani, the revered goddess of Asika, was worshipped in her Brahmacharini form.
After early morning rituals like bathing and offering of food (Balabhoga), the doors were opened for devotees. Rituals included Chandi Path, Vishnu Purana recitations, and Akhanda Deepa offerings (eternal lamp lighting) for wish fulfillment.
Other rituals performed included:
Surya Puja (Sun Worship)
Sala Puja
Ghat Puja (sacred pot)
Graha Mandala Puja (planetary worship)
Naivedya and Shodasha Upachara Puja (16 ceremonial offerings)
Bilwa Patra offerings
Hom and Yajna (fire offerings)
The puja was coordinated by committee chairman Satyanarayan Swain, along with members and local residents.
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Navaratri Puja of Maa Bhandar Gharani
Nabarangpur – In Nabarangpur district, the Sharadiya Navaratri Puja of Maa Bhandar Gharani, the presiding deity, has begun with grandeur.
Today, the Pata Khanda idol of Maa (a symbolic portable idol) was brought out for public darshan.
While usually facing west, during Navaratri, the Goddess faces east and gives darshan as Pata Khanda.
The deity’s weapons and ornaments were also brought out for purification rituals.
Accompanied by the sound of bells, conches, drums, and other instruments, the Goddess was paraded ceremonially.
The chief priest and attendants conducted rituals at the Darubandh area, with devotees witnessing the event. The deity’s ornaments and weapons were ritually cleansed in the presence of other temple servants.