Rayagada: A rare ritual of ‘Mundabasa’ is performed for Goddess Manikeswari, who is worshipped as Devi Durga during Dussehra, at Kasipur in Odisha’s Rayagada.
As per the ritual, which is performed inside the Manikeswari temple at Kasipur, a new idol of Devi is constructed with fresh soil every year. The significance of the process is that while the soil is still raw, parts of the idol’s face like nose, eyes, ears and tongue made of different precious metals like gold, silver and others are fitted.
During this particular ritual, nobody is allowed to see it except the priests of the temple engaged for the purpose. A lotus of gold with 8 petals is also placed beside Devi’s idol, which is called ‘jantra’. As per belief, the lotus opens on its own as the days of Dussehra progresses.
It may be noted that the idol of Devi is worshipped without head on all days except during Dussehra when ‘Mundabasa’ ritual is performed. Besides Kasipur, this practice is followed at Manikeswari temple in Bhawanipatna of Kalahandi district.
While the ritual is performed on 8th day of Dussehra in Bhawanipatna temple, Devi’s head is attached to the body on Pratipada (first day) of bright fortnight of Aswina month in Odia calendar, when Navratri of Dussehra begins, in Kasipur temple.
It is believed that the ritual was started since the temples were established by the kings of Naga dynasty when both Kasipur and Bhawanipatna were under their kingdom. Since the Naga kings were followers of Shakti cult, Devi Manikeswari was the presiding deity of the dynasty.
During the reign of Naga kings, the ritual was performed regularly. But, over the years, the special ritual of ‘Mundabasa’ of the deities of the two temples is performed only during Dussehra.
Unlike other places in Odisha where the day of Dasami is celebrated as main festival of Dussehra, in both Kasipur and Bhawanipatna, the day of ‘Mundabasa’ is the major festival of Navratri. It is claimed that this particular festival of Devi Durga is not celebrated in any other Shakti shrine in the state.
