Nabarangpur, 26th Sept 2025: The Sharadiya Navaratri Puja of Devi Maa Bhandar Gharani, the presiding deity of Nabarangpur district, has begun with grand celebrations from the 1st of Ashwin (according to the Odia calendar). From this day, the Dussehra Puja of Maa has also started. The sacred palanquin (Patkhanda) of Maa has been brought out for public viewing. The western-facing Maa Bhandar Gharani will be worshipped as the eastern-facing Patkhanda during Navaratri.
During the day, the weather remained pleasant, but by evening, the first day of the rainy season washed away the dust. Maa Bhandar Gharani’s temple in Nabarangpur district is the only Shakti Peetha (seat of divine feminine power) where the Navaratri festival and Dussehra are celebrated with great pomp and devotion. According to legend, the original seat of Maa Bhandar Gharani is in Jagannathpur, the old capital during Raja Rajuda’s reign, where security was provided for her worship. Over time, Nabarangpur became the new capital. The king then established the Maa’s palanquin (Patkhanda) here and started worshiping it.
Since then, from the first day of Ashwin Shukla Paksha (bright half of the lunar month), Maa’s palanquin is brought out and adorned with her weapons and ornaments for public viewing. With the sounds of incense, bells, drums, and other war instruments, the procession of Maa’s palanquin reaches the temple. The chief priest and other devotees perform the cleaning and worship of the weapons and instruments.
The traditional rituals continue with full devotion. The palanquin with Maa’s weapons is taken inside the temple. The priest installs the palanquin at the temple entrance where it is accessible to the public for darshan (viewing) until Vijayadashami (the 10th day of Navaratri). From the 1st to the 6th day, worship is performed with one incense stick, and from the 7th to the 10th day, five incense sticks are offered. After the auspicious installation of the flag by members of the royal family, a grand lamp is lit, and then devotees light their own lamps in a ritual believed to bring mental peace.
Devotees are deeply emotionally moved by the darshan of Maa. It is believed by all that Maa Bhandar Gharani, residing in this sacred Shakti Peetha, fulfills the wishes of those who sincerely pray. This belief creates a wave of enthusiasm and devotion in anticipation of Maa’s arrival. From villages to the city, there is a large gathering of devotees, and all necessary arrangements are made for their convenience.
The temple committee and administration plan to conclude the Sharadiya Navaratri festival with a grand procession on Vijayadashami, featuring a ceremonial chariot procession carrying Maa’s palanquin. During Navaratri, hundreds of thousands of lamps are lit at Maa’s seat, and devotees joyfully begin the worship.
Though many places in the district celebrate Dussehra, Maa Bhandar Gharani’s Shakti Peetha in Nabarangpur city is especially famous. Thousands of devotees gather during Dussehra to seek mental strength and blessings from Maa.