Orissa Review September - 2009

Veshas of Goddess Samaleswari

Ratan Kumar Pani

Dussehra celebration at Samaleswari Kusumanda , Skandhamata , Katyayani ,

temple, here is an entirely different affair. Unlike Kalaratri , Mahagouri and finally she is adorned
other places and like Lord Jagannath of Puri, as Raja Rajeswari .
Goddess Samaleswari adorns different Beshas
(incarnation) throughout Several religio us
Dussehra celebrations. functions are performed during
the Navarat ri. On t he
Legend has it that Devi daywhen Devi is adorned as
Samaleswari, the presiding Katyayani , a three-day
deity of Sambalpur is regarded Jagar Deepa (earthen lamp)
as an Ansh (a part) of Durga is lit, which is immersed on
or Parvati, along with six other Vijaya Dasami.
Shakti Ansh of Orissa and
Chattishgarh. According to During the Kalaratri
temple authorities, t he Besha , all the arms and
festivities start with Sohala ammunition are cleaned and
Puja followed by Mahalaya. the temple Akhara traverses
On the day of Mahalaya, the the city in a procession
Goddess adorns demonstrating skills. After the
Dhabalamukhi Besha, also Raja Rajeswari Besha , the
referred to as Ganga Darshan temple s Dhwaja
after which the Navaratri Puja (costomary flag) is replaced
begins and goes on for nine marking resumption of normal
days with Devi Samaleswari practice and worship.
dressed in several incarnation of Durga. On the
first, the Devi adorns the Shailaputri Besha , next
day she transforms into Brahmacharini .

On the following days, the Devi assumes Courtesy : Devi, Spl. Issue of New Indian Express,
the incarnations of Chandraghanta , October 2007.

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