Festivals

Worship Of Swords & Secret Rituals Performed In This Devi Shrine Of Odisha

Jharsuguda: On Ashtami (8th) day of Durga Puja, worship of traditional weapons is performed mostly in Devi shrines which are patronised by the royal families. One such shrine is Samaleswari temple at Rajpur in Odisha’s Jharsuguda district.

As per the practice, Rajpurohit (royal or main priest) of the temple performed puja of Goddesses Durga, Kali, Mahamayi, Dakhina Kali, Bauti, Khambeswari, Batu Mangala, Batu Bhairabi and Banjari Devi on Sapatami (7th night). Yajna was performed amid chanting of Chandi Patha (hymns of Devi) and participation of the devotees.

On the morning of Ashtami on Sunday, the swords that were used during warfare and have been preserved by the descendants of the royal family or zamindars were worshipped in the village temple. This puja is called ‘Khandapuja’.

Late Sunday night, the members of present zamindar family carried the swords holding ‘mashal’ (torch) to Basundhara river and the priest performed some secret rituals on the river banks. The swords were brought back to Samaleswari temple in similar procession and again worshipped with secret rituals as per Tantrik procedures.

The devotees were not allowed to participate in the procession while the puja of swords with yajna and sacrifices continued till early morning. However, they can attend the puja on the days of Navami and Dasami and completion of Navratri on Tuesday.

OB Bureau
Share
Published by
OB Bureau

Recent Posts

Fan Tries To Kiss Poonam Pandey In Public [Watch]

Mumbai: Fans go crazy and sometimes cross all limits when they come across celebrities. There… Read More

4 hours ago

4 Stranded Odisha Workers Return Safely From Oman, CM Thanks External Affairs Minister

Bhubaneswar: Four Odia workers from Ganjam district, who were stranded in Oman, have safely returned… Read More

5 hours ago

‘Trying Too Hard To Get Attention’: Netizens Troll Shehnaaz Gill For Swimsuit Pics With Unzipped Shorts

Mumbai: Actress Shehnaaz Gill is enjoying her vacation in Sydney, as is evident from the… Read More

5 hours ago

‘India’s Got Latent’ Row: I Was Paid For The Interview, Says Rakhi Sawant On Being Summoned

Mumbai: Actress Rakhi Sawant, known for her bold and controversial comments, was recently summoned by… Read More

5 hours ago

FIH Pro League: Mixed Luck For India As Men Beat Ireland & Women Fall To Germany At Packed Kalinga Stadium

Bhubaneswar: In the FIH Pro League 2024-25 matches on 21 February, Friday, India faced off… Read More

5 hours ago

‘Map My Crop’ To Collaborate With Odisha For Farm Sector Info

Bhubaneswar: Representatives of Map My Crop made a presentation to Odisha’s Deputy Chief Minister Kanak… Read More

5 hours ago