Durga Puja in Sarala Temple

Orissa Review September - 2009 Durga Puja in Sarala Temple Pandit Upendranath Hota Sarala is worshipped both as Durga and Chakra, She is Herself Brahma-Shakti, Saraswati. The Goddess posseses three qualities Bramhani, Vishnu Sakti, 'Vaishnavi' and Rudra and she is also worshipped in three ways. She Sakti, 'Rudrani'. She is adorned with nine symbolises TAMAH when she appears as Maha qualities, 'Srim, Hrim, Budhi, Lajya, Pusti, Shanti, Kali, RAJAH when She appears as Maha Laxmi Tusti, Kshyanti and Aiswarya. and SATVA when she appears as Saraswati "She During Durga Puja, Sarala is worshipped is the "LIGHT", She is the "LIGHT OF THE SUN with all sanctity. Durga Devi appears at the time and MOON", She is the "AIR" which animate all of Janmastami. However, people mostly start it beings, says the from the 'Pratipada' Vedic hymn to the Sukla Pakhya of Goddess. This is the Aswina' or 'Sasthi. germ which People chant hymns afterwards of Chandi from the developed into day of Mother worship. 'Kalpaarambha' till The highest of all 'Navami'. as per the feminine types in rules of Durga Puja India is Mother. Bodhan Mother is the power Amantrana, that manifests Adhibasa and everywhere, She Pujana are who brings out this Goddess Sarala observed here very universe and She who brings forth the destruction. strictly. Sandhi Puja is observed on Saptami and Destruction is only the beginning of creation. The Astami and at the end of Maha Navami Puja. top of a hill is only the beginning of a valley. During Durga Puja sixteen day long In Puri Sri Jagannath appears as Bhairava ceremonial rites are observed at Sarala. Sarala is and Vimala as Bhairavi. Here Mahalaxmi is a dressed differently for sixteen days, each day with perfect Vaishnavi. But Mother Sarala is Mahakali, a new Vesa. A grand procession starts from the all three in one. She is established here on a Sri temple of Sarala towards Landa Deula (an 46 Orissa Review September - 2009 ancient ruined temple) and again returns to the Upto 1946 it was the custom to offer a temple after the worship of Lord Ganesha and buffalo as sacrifice on Mahastami before other deities. In this procession the Chalanti Goddess Sarala. But this practice of offering a Pratima (moving deity) of the Mother takes part. buffalo as sacrifice was discarded when Dr. People putting on different masks dance merrily Kailashnath Katju was the Governor of Orissa. showing different feats. Different drum, Ghanta From that period a pumpkin is offered in lieu of a and musical instruments are sounded. During buffalo. Sarala is the Vak Devi (Goddess of Maha Saptami, Maha Astami and Maha learning) and Mahisasura Mardini (Destroyer of Navami, the worship of the Mother is done with the demon Mahisasura). Sarala is Asta Bhuja Sodasa Upachar. The worship of the Mother is (eight handed). She rides on a lion. She is Parama done in 'Navarna Mantra' depicted in the Tantrik Vaishnavi. The great Oriya poet Sarala Das, was texts. "Aum, Aim, Hrim, Klim, Chamandai a devotee of Sarala Jhankada, Her abode is 57 Bliche" is the sacred mantra of the Devi. Aim, Kms away from Cuttack. The present temple of Hrim, Klim represent Sandini, Sambit, and Power Sarala is about 400 years old. Sarala is a famous of the Devi respectively and Aum is the sacred Devi of Orissa and one of the eight famous Sakti symbol of Brahman. Sarala is the embodiment Pithas of Orissa. of these three sources of the primordial energy. This worship of the Mother dates back to Savarnima Manwantara, from very ancient Qr. No. IV, 3/4, times. Unit -I, Bhubaneswar. Sarala Temple, Jhankada 47.

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