Shodasha Upachara Puja Begins at Odisha’s Shakti Peeths | Rituals, Beshas & Devotion

Odisha has come alive with spiritual fervor as the sacred Shodasha Upachara Puja—a sixteen-step ritual worship—commences across its revered Shakti Peeths. Coinciding with the auspicious occasion of Mulashtami, the fortnight-long celebration marks the descent of divine energy, culminating in Dussehra.

At Maa Mangala Peeth in Kakatpur, the rituals began with the Sahasra Kumbhabhisheka, a thousand-pot ablution ceremony that drew hundreds of devotees. Charchika Peeth in Banki transformed into a vibrant spiritual hub, hosting cultural and devotional programs. In Ganjam, servitor families performed traditional water-fetching rituals at the Taratarini shrine, while at Maa Cuttack Chandi Temple, the Goddess was adorned in the resplendent Suna Besha (golden attire), symbolizing divine prosperity.

Over the sixteen days, Maa Cuttack Chandi will be dressed in various Beshas, each representing a unique manifestation of divine power—from Bhubaneswari to Mahisamardini. A highlight is the Ashtami tithi, when the Goddess undergoes a midnight Maha Snana and is adorned in the fierce Maha Kali Besha.

Priest Manoj Panda noted the parallels between this puja and Navratri, emphasizing the unique late-night ritual on Ashtami. However, amidst the celebrations, concerns loom over delayed renovation work at the Cuttack Chandi Temple, leaving devotees and priests hopeful for swift restoration.