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Odisha Review October - 2012

Festivals, Rituals and Vesas of Goddess Samalesvari of

Dr. P.K. Singh

Goddess Samalesvari is worshipped as the Goddess under the Semel trees. For presiding in most of the Sakta shrines of example at Bhatigaon under Barpali block of Western . She is worshipped in various Bargarh district, icon of Mahisamarddini Durga forms and figures such as in the case of is worshipped as Goddess Samalesvari. Also in Samalaesvari temple of Barpali and Sambalpur, case of Budhi Samalei of Suvarnapur, the She is worshipped as a large block of stone in presiding deity is a four-armed Durga. Thus the middle of which is a projection resembling Goddess Samalesvari is a popular deity in the the mouth of a cow; the length and breadth of Western extremity of this projection has Odisha. a groove of a thread breath which is called the mouth. As Rituals discussed by N. Senapati and B. Mohanty1, at both sides of When the Chauhan kings the projection, there are of Patna State came to rule depressions over which over , they between gold leave is placed tried to appease the local tribes as a substitute for eye. by accepting their deity According to some scholars2, Samalei as their Istadevi it is also described as a massive (tutelary deity) and thereby triangular rock with something manipulating their support for like a penis protruding at the good governance. According bottom, a unique image in the to noted scholar F. Deo3, the whole country, a rare relic of Chauhan king Balaram Dev the linga- worship. She (1542 to 1556 A.D.) exulted does not correspond to any the local tribal deity Samalei to other of Hindu religion. state deity by accepting the foot However, in certain Samalesvari temples of prints of his ancestor, Ramai Western Odisha, especially in the rural areas She Dev, the first Chauhan king, adorned her with great is worshipped in the anthropomorphic form of veneration and respect. Therefore the Chauhan

14 October - 2012 Odisha Review kings made it as their state policy by accepting prints with two eight-petalled lotus rosette motifs the local faiths and beliefs for the expansion of on both the sides are carved on a stone panel, their territory. Since then Goddess Samalesvari which is worshipped as Sital Mata. Such type of occupies a very pivotal position in the religious foot prints were worshipped by Siddhacharyas, and cultural life of the people of Western Odisha. which was common in the Buddhist Tantric Number of Samalesvari temples are dotted with School. Thus in the worship of Goddess throughout the length and breadth of Western Samalesvari there was very much influence of Odisha. In each and every temple dedicated to Tantricism. Goddess Samalesvari, festivals are observed in 5 specific months of the year i.e., September and According to Late Durga Prasad Ray , October are very common. In this discussion, the chief priest of Samalesvari temple of specific study has been made with regard to Sambalpur, Goddess Samalesvari is worshipped festivals, rituals and vesas associated with the in Vaishnavi i.e., hring shring Goddess Samalesvari of Sambalpur. Since the Somalesvarje aing sring namah. Vija Mantra: time of Balaram Dev, the illustrious Chauhan king, Sring. : Narayanai Bidmahe Goddess Samalesvari became the tutelary deity Somolesvarjei dhimahim tamodevi of the king and the people of his kingdom. As prochodayat. described in Kosalananda Mahakavyam, Sambalpur grew luxuriously to a metropolis full Dhyana: Sindura Ranakanti hemavandana of riches and free from fear and abounding in soundharya varan nidhi, ratnakalpa nature which came without efforts due to the bibhusitam kuchanatam saleikarimanjarim, blessings of Goddess Samalesvari. Sambalpur hasthe sulagadam sikhecha mukutam became the capital city of Chauhan kingdom as a soudanmini sannibham, dhayardugabare landmark in the history and culture of Western virajitatare sri Somaladhisvarim. Odishan people. The regular and to Prarthana: Sidhi bhavatume Tatprasadat Goddess started which was gradually Sanskritized krupamayee, lokamata Gopi rupa trahimam and Aryanised. As in the case of other Sakta 6 temples of Western Odisha, tribal priests normally saranagata worship, but in Samalesvari temple of Sambalpur, Goddess Samalei is offered with both priests are engaged for worship since vegetarian and non-vegetarian foods. Thus the the time of Balaram Dev. tribal deity worshipped by the aboriginals has Sambalpur was also popular as a seat of become an idol of the in course of time. Tantric Buddhism from the early times. Even when According to Pandit Gopinath Panigrahi,7 Samalei Buddhism was about to decline in different parts is no other than Goddess Asapuri of the of , the new order Tantric Buddhism bagan Garhsambhar Chauhans. He has tried to prove to flourish under the princess Laxmikara, the sister the lunar origin of the Chauhans through the of king Indrabhuti of Sambal in 8th century A.D. etymological significance of the word Samalai Perhaps the present pitha of Goddess (-crescent moon). A close look however owes its origin to this period. reveals that Samalei is not a Hindu icon, no armed According to scholar S.S. Panda4, inside the Durga. On the other hand as pointed out by noted sanctum of Samalei temple a pair of human foot scholar Prof. P.M. Nayak8 She has the form of a

15 Odisha Review October - 2012 caste vagina interpenetrated with the penis, which in nature which reflects the culture of the people presupposes that the name is perhaps derived of the particular area or locality. Here discussion from the word Sambhalai suggestive of the ability has been made with regard to some important to bear. This linga-yoni image reminds us to Sakta festivals associated with Samalesvari temple several centuries back to the Greeko-Roman of Sambalpur. days of phallic worship. This phallic image of Samalai is hardly concreted by our efforts to The major festivals associated with Aryanize and modernize and Hinduise this very Samalesvari temple are , Mahalaya and primitive deity through improvization and Saradiya Vasantika . Every year with visualization of an oval face with a protruding much pump and luxury, Nuakhai Bhetghat is organized on Bhadrava Sukla inside the tongue with all her superimposed ornaments and temple premises. People of Sambalpur region eat garlands Goddess Samalai stands on a huge block Navarna (new ) only after it is offered to of stone in the unmistakable shape of a vagina Goddess Samalesvari. Nua Khai is such a penetrated by a penis. Like Goddess Charchika popular festival in western Odisha that on this of Banki, Biraja of Jajpur, Sarala of Jhankada, occasion people exhibit their gratitude and Chandi of , Samlei of Sambalpur has made thankfulness to the creator and Mother Goddess Sambalpur as an important Sakta Pitha of Odisha. earth. This festival normally observed on the 5th Festivals day of Bhadrava Sukla Paksha when newly harvested rice is first offered to the presiding deity Festivals are the occasions that reinforce Samalesvari and other gods and goddesses and the presence of Gods and Goddesses in the life then they eat the new rice sitting together. of the individuals and community. Those are also Everybody wears new clothes, people clean their moments for the people and to be a part of as houses. Younger members of the family touch the old, yet still vibrant and living traditions9. Festivals feet of the elders in the neighbourhood and visit are also full of enjoyment, when they coincide with Samalesvari temple to pay homage to the deity. agricultural events such as harvest like Nuakhai On this occasion various types of cultural events or Navarna celebrated in West Odisha during like music and dance, meeting, akhada are Bhadraba Sukla Paksha every year. Websters organized at the premises of the Samalesvari Dictionary defines the term festival as a day or temple. Another important celebration associated time of religious or other celebration marked by with Goddess Samalesvari is Gundikhai on the feasting, ceremonies or their observances. Festival day of full moon of Phalguna, the first crop of is celebrated by one religious or sub group, group, mangoes with char (a type of miniature sweet a tribe or a community with exceptions to few black berries) and new Mahul flower are first individuals. Rituals performed during festivals are offered to Goddess Samalesvari and then common to one social group, a religious sect or a members of the locality take those offerings. In community. Food, sweets, fruits, nuts etc. the month of April on the occasion of Mahavisuva prepared during the festivals are common to one Samkranti, Jayanti is celebrated inside social group, religious sect or a community. The the temple precinct. By worshipping Devi Durga, celebration of such festivals and rituals associated Savitri got back her husband, Satyavan. To with Sakta shrines of western Odisha are religious commemorate this event, Savitri is

16 October - 2012 Odisha Review celebrated in the month of May. In the month of (August-September), Puajuntia Osha, Dipavali, June Samalesvari is worshipped as the protector Syama Puja, Maha Sarasvati Puja etc. are against all dangers and in Her honour Vrata and observed. Hera Panchami are observed. In the month of July, Chitau and Sravanaviseka are The following festivals are celebrated performed in the temple. The other festivals are throughout the year in calendar month such10 as Sravanabhiseka, Ganesh which are as follows: Jyestha Jalasayi Utsav of Bhairava Baba Sravana Purnima Sravanabhiseka of Goddess Samalesvari Bhadraba Krushnapaksha Astami Ambika Puja Bhadraba Suklapaksha Panchami Nuakhai Asvina Krushnapaksha Asthami Beginning of Sohala Puja Asvina Krushna Paksha Amavasya Mahalaya, Dhavalamukhi Vesa or Darshana Vesa Asvina Suklapaksha Pratipada Saradiya Puja and and lighting of Jagara Dipa Asvina Suklapaksha Saptami Beginning of Triratri Manasika Jagara Dipa Asvina Suklapaksha Astami Mahastami, Sandhi Puja, Akhada in the temple compound, Khandadhua Sobhajatra Asvina Suklapaksha Navami Mahanavami, Akhada Parikrama Asvina Suklapaksha Dasami Vijaya Dasami, Ranajita Sobhayatra Asvina Purnima Flag ceremony Kartika Krushnapaksha Amavasya Syama Puja Every Thursday of Margasira Mahalaxmi Puja Pausa Purnima Pausyabhiseka Magha Sukla Paksha Panchami Mahasarasvati Puja Magha Purnima Purnahuti of Chabis Prahari Nama Jagna Makara Samkranti Purnahuti of three-day long Dipa Mahajagna Phalguna Purnima Dola Purnima, Gundi Khai Chaitra Sukla Paksha Pratipada to Navami Basantika Navaratri Puja and Lighting of Jagara Dipa Pana Samkranti Special Puja of Sitala Thakurani Sri Sri Samalesvari Samaroha Every Tuesday Special Puja at Akhada Hanuman Temple.

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Time Table in the Temple Samalesvari dressed with Navadurga Vesa in every afternoon and She is offered with Puja by Mangala arati at 5 A.M. the devotees. Bhoga and Pahada at 12 noon to 12.30 P.M. Sailaputri Vesa (Pratipada) Alati at 8 P.M. Sailaputri Vesa is narrated in the following sloka: Bhoga at 9 P.M. Vande bacnhhita lavaya dhakruta sekharam Closing of the temple at 10 P.M. Vrusrudhham Suladharam sailaputri jasasvini (Some variations may be observed on Tuesdays Goddess Samalesvari is worshipped as , and on specific festivals) the daughter of Himalaya and known as Saila Vesas of Samalesvari Putri. In this Vesa the Goddess holds trident and lotus in Her right and left hands respectively. Her Vesa means costume, attire or dress. head looks like crescent moon. Goddess offers Another important aspect associated with blessings and fulfills the desire of the devotees. Goddess Samalesvari is Her different Vesas on Brahmacharini Vesa (Dvitiya) festive occasions of the year. Those Vesas can be discussed as follows: This vesa is narrated in the following sloka : Dhavalamukhi (Ganga Darshan) Vesa Dadhana varapadmavhya Akshamala kamandalu On the day of Asvina Amavasya Devi prasidatu mayee Mahalaya, Goddess Samalesvari is decorated brahmacharini annuttama with white colour instead of red. It is a popular belief that Darshan to Goddess during this vesa In the second day of the Navaratra is as good as darshan to Goddess Ganga. (Dvitiya ) Goddess Samalesvari is According to legend of the , when worshipped in Brahmacharini Vesa. As per the Lord offered blessings to Bhisma, who shapeless the second name of the deity was sleeping on the bed of arrows, told that is Brahmacharini i.e., Tapacharini and She holds Mahalaya Sradha darshan of Goddess Ganga rosary and kamandalu in Her right and left hands leads to the Mukti or salvation of the departed respectively. soul. It is not possible for everyone to have Ganga Chandraghanta Vesa (Dvitiya) Darshan on this auspicious day, therefore Goddess Samalesvari gave darshan to Her This vesa is narrated in the following verse: devotees and cure sins and sufferings. Since the Pindaka pravararudha th time of Raja Balaram Dev (16 century A.D.) chandakopaastrakairjuta this Vesa is in practice till today. These Vesas are Prasadam tanute mahyam continued for two and half days. chandraghantetivisruta Nava Durga Vesa Goddess Samalesvari is worshipped in On the occasion of Durga Puja, in the the form of Chandraghanta on the second tithi of month of October from the Asvina Sukla Paksha Navaratra. She is golden in colour and ten-armed Pratipada till Navami (9th day) Goddess with Her conventional weapons. She is seated

18 October - 2012 Odisha Review on Her mount lion and prepared for war. She Katyayani Vesa removes all sins and sufferings of the devotees. This vesa is well narrated in the following verse: Kusmanda Vesa Chandrahasktyalakara This vesa is well narrated in the following verse: sardula vara vahana

Sura sampurna kalanam Katyayani subham dadyat Rudhiraplutameba cha devi ghatini Dadhana hastha padmavyam For fulfilling the needs of the Gods and kusmanda subhadasthu me Goddesses Mother Durga originated in the Ashram of Maharsi Katyayana. As the sage The meaning of kusmanda is having multi Katyayana adopted Devi Durga as his daughter meanings such as ku meaning ugly or bad, usma Her sixth name is Katyayani. On the sixth day of meaning multifarious world and a meaning the Navaratra, Goddess Samalesvari is originated from the womb. As Goddess worshipped in this Vesa. In this attire the glaze is Samalesvari holds three-fold living beings in Her comparable to gold. She is four-armed and holds womb and hence Her fourth nomenclature is swords, full-blown lotus, Varada and Abhaya. Kusmanda. As She resides in the solar world Her glaze is just like the rays of the Sun. She is eight- Kalaratri Vesa (Saptami) armed and mounts on a lion. She holds kamandalu, bow, bana, lotus, full pot, a pot filled This vesa is well narrated in the following verse: with nectar, wheel and goad and in Her eighth Ekaveni japakarna hand She holds a rosary. This vesa is worshipped puranagna kharasthita on the fourth day of Navaratra. Lobmosthi kanaka varni Skandamata Vesa tailabhyakta saririni Vama padollusalloha This vesa is well narrated in the following verse: lata kantaka bhusana Vardhana mudhardhwaja krushna Simhasanagata nityam kalaratrirbhayankari padmasritakara dvaya As the destroyer of the Universe, Subhadastu sada devi Goddess Samalesvari holds Kalaratri vesa on the skandamatab jasasvini seventh day of Navaratra. She is black in colour, The other name of Karttikeya is Skanda Her hairs are open, necklace on the neck, her and he is the Commander-in-Chief of the Gods three eyes are just like the globe, flame is emanated and Goddesses. Being the mother of Skanda the from Her nose. Her mount is Ass. She is four fifth name of Samalesvari is Skandamata. She is armed and holds iron nail, sword, varada and worshipped on the fifth day of Navaratra. In the abhaya. Despite her ferocious appearance She image of Skandamata Lord Skanda sits on Her is considered as the bestower of boon. Hence lap. Her other name is Subhankari.

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Mahagouri Vesa (Astami) the lotus originated from the naval of Siva. Adi Sankaracharya used to worship Her in Srividya This vesa is well narrated in the following verse: form. A new flag is unfurled on that day. Flowers Svete vruse samarudga like ketaki, mandar and dahana leaves are svetambara dhara suchih favourites of the Goddess. The Chauhan king Mahagouri subham dadyan Balaram Dev worshipped Her in pomp and mahadeva pramodada grandeur after the establishment of the new capital at Sambalpur. Since that time these traditions are To kill the demons Sumbha and Nisumbha the white complexioned Devi Parvati practised. changed Her colour to black and assumed the References: name . Once again She assumed white complexion and hence Her other name is 1. N. Senapati and B. Mohanty (Eds.), Orissa District Mahagouri. In this vesa wears white cloth and Gazetteer, Sambalpur. Cuttack, 1971, P. 546. attires. She is four armed and mounts on a Bull. 2. K.R. Panigrahi, Odishara Sakta Parampara: Maa Samalai, published in Souvenir 2000 Loka She holds in Her four arms dambaru, varada, Mahotsav, Sambalpur, P. 3. trident and abhaya. This is the calm posture of B.M. Nayak, Somlai : a unique image in India, the Goddess. Odisha Historical Research Journal, Vol No.XLVII, No.II, pp.119. Siddhidatri Vesa (Navami) 3. F. Deo, Chauhan Myth and Royal Legitimization This vesa is well narrated in the following verse: in Kosala, Sambalpur Lokamahotsav, 2003, Pp. 96- 100. Siddhagandharva jakhya dyo 4. S.S.Panda, Early Chauhan Temple of Sambalpur asurairamareirapi Town, Orissa Review, , April, Pp. 34- Sevyamana sada bhuyat 37. sidhita sidhidayini 5. Personal Interview with Late Sri Durga Prasad Ray, To fulfil all the desires of the devotees Her Chief Priest of Samalesvari Temple. other name is Sidhidatri. The Goddess is 6. Pandit Laxman Mishra, Sri Sri Samalesvari, Niyati (Odia Journal), Cuttack, October 2005, P. 15. worshipped in this vesa during Navaratri. Her four arms are adorned with lotus, conch, wheel and 7. G. Panigrahi, 'Brata Charita' book in Odia, Cuttack, 1915, pp.67. goad. 8. P.M. Nayak, op.cit, pp.119-120. Rajarajesvari Vesa (Asvina Purnima) 9. Rabin D. Tribhuwan and P.K. Tribhuwan, An Introduction to Tribal Fairs and Festivals: The greatest vesa of the Goddess is Theoritical Consideration, Fairs and Festivals of Rajarajesvari vesa. The other names of this vesa Indian Tribes, New Delhi, 2003, Pp. 3-8. are Rajarajesvari, Srividya, Mahatripura Sundari 10. “Karuna Mayi Maa Samalesvari” Itihas Vesadina and Balapanchadasi. In Dasamavidya, O Parvaparvani (Booklet in Odia) published by Rajarajesvari vesa is placed in the fourth position. Sri Sri Samalesvari Trust Board, Sambalpur. She is considered as the Sakti of Siva. She is Dr. Prabhas Kumar Singh, Curator-in Charge, five-faced and ten armed. She has four rupas like Archaeology Section, Odisha State Museum, sthula, sukhma, para and turiya. She sits on Bhubaneswar.

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