Odisha

Maid Worship As Tradition On Durganavami In Odisha’s Sonepur Palace

By
OB Bureau

Sonepur: Young and unmarried girls are felicitated at the Durgadevi temple in Sonepur palace as part of the Navakanya Puja during the Navaratri Celebrations here.

This is a rare tradition followed in the Sonepur Palace wherein women on Kuanri Vrat worship virgin girls as representatives of Goddess Shakti. It is believed that the presiding deity showers blessings on the worshippers who take a Navaratri vow and wash the feet of young girls, offer new clothes and sweet delicasies on the day of Durga Navami.

The worship of maids as a tradition coincides with Navami puja at the Devi shrine. According to mythology, the tradition of virgin worship originated long before the birth of Sri Krishna when virgin girls were not safe in the kingdom of Kamsa.

Worship of nine virgins, addressed as Bijlikanyas (thundergirls), ensured peace, happiness and prosperity in the kingdom, says Ganesh Dash, priest of Sonepur Kanaka Durga Temple. Virginity as a symbol of biological and spiritual purity is the first pre-requisite of Tantrik cult which has evolved into the Navakanya Puja, he added.

 

 

OB Bureau

Recent Posts

Centre Approves Repatriation Of IAS Officer SK Mishra To Parent Cadre Odisha

Bhubaneswar: The Central government has approved repatriation of IAS officer Sanjeeb Kumar Mishra to Odisha…

November 12, 2024

30 Artists Draw Paintings On Life of Odisha’s 1st CM Harekrushna Mahatab At Camp In Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar: As part of the 125th birth anniversary celebration of Odisha's first Chief Minister ‘Utkal…

November 12, 2024

State-Level Children’s Fest ‘Suravi’ Takes Off In Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar: The state-level Sishu Mahotsav 2024, 'Suravi', took off on the premises of Capital High…

November 12, 2024

‘Yaariyaan’ Actor Himansh Kohli Ties The Knot In A Private Ceremony

Mumbai: ‘Yaariyaan’ actor Himansh Kohli got hitched in a private ceremony on Tuesday. The actor…

November 12, 2024

ECoR To Enhance Power Infra In Several Rly Sections In Odisha

Bhubaneswar: The East Coast Railway (ECoR) is set to enhance its electrification infrastructure with the introduction…

November 12, 2024

5th EMRS National Cultural & Literary Fest & Kala Utsav Begins On Odisha

Bhubaneswar: More than 1400 students from 22 states are participating in the 5th EMRS (Eklavya…

November 12, 2024

Mukesh Khanna Gets Trolled For Posting Teasers On Shaktimaan’s Return

Mumbai: Veteran actor Mukesh Khanna left netizens in a bad mood after he announced the…

November 12, 2024

Rourkela NIT, Bhubaneswar’s KIIT & Cuttack’s SCB Medical College Win State-Level RBI90Quiz

Bhubaneswar: The team from the National Institute of Technology, Rourkela comprising Arpan Chakrabarty and  Dibyajyoti…

November 12, 2024