16-Day Rituals Commence In Cuttack Devi Shrines Amid Covid Norms

Cuttack: All shrines across the Millennium City have commenced Shodasapachar (16-day) rituals ahead of Devi Durgapuja coinciding with the advent of Automn as per Hindu ephemeris.

Cuttack Chandi, the presiding deity of the ancient city, has been sanctified with water from a thousand pitchers as an inaugural ceremony to mark the onset of the Shodasopachar puja. The Mother deity was decorated in golden garments on the first day while she will be ornamented as Bhubaneswari on Thursday (September 30). The temple which was shut in view of Covid restrictions for the past two years has now been refurbished and the deity is ready to embrace its devout with a darshan in subtle form.

The shrine management, however, made elaborate arrangements for the hassle-free darshan of the deity amid Covid guidelines. According to servitor Pranakrushna Panda, “We will ensure discipline at the temple amid Covid restrictions. We wish the goddess blesses all her children a healthy family life and prosperous beginning right from this autumn.”

Similarly, the 16-day rituals commenced at Cuttack Gadachandi temple as per traditions right from Wednesday morning. The rituals will culminate on the Mahanavami day. “We have skipped the prasad (bhog) ritual in view of Covid restrictions at our temple. However, the devout will be allowed to light a lamp before the idol,” said Manoranjan Dash, priest of Gadachandi temple.