Basantika Durga Puja Begins at Maa Mangala Temple
Kakatpur (Tushar Dixit):
The three-day Basantika Durga Puja has commenced today at the Maa Mangala Temple, the presiding deity of Kakatpur in Puri district, starting from the auspicious occasion of Shukla Saptami tithi. On this occasion, the Temple Trust Board has announced a special ritual schedule for the Basantika Durga Puja. The rituals will be conducted from April 14 to 16, and during these three days, public darshan will remain closed until 3 PM, as stated by Kailash Dash, the Executive Officer of the temple.
Much like the Shodasha Upachara rituals of Ashwina month, the Basantika Puja of Maa Mangala is performed during the Chaitra month, on Shukla Saptami, Ashtami, and Navami.
On Sunday afternoon, following the Sahasra Kumbhabhisheka (ritual bathing with a thousand pots) and Maha Snana (great bathing ritual), Maa Mangala was adorned in the Chandana Besha (sandalwood attire). The temple priests and purohits conducted the installation of the main Kalasha, Navadurga Kalasha, and Akshaya Deepa (eternal lamp).
This was followed by various rituals including Surya Puja (Sun worship), Simha Puja (lion worship), Dwarapala Puja (gatekeeper worship), Kalasha Puja, and Shodasha Upachara Puja (16-step ceremonial worship). Subsequently, morning incense (Dhupa), Sankranti Homa (ritual fire offering), Dwiprahara Dhupa, and Bhanda Dhupa were performed before the temple was closed.
In the evening, after Sandhya Alati (evening lamp ritual), Maa Mangala was again bathed and adorned. The rituals concluded with Bhagavat recitation, Geeta Govinda chanting, and Bada Singhara (grand adornment), after which the temple was closed for the night.
According to Kakatpur Tehsildar Ankita Anandita, the puja rituals will continue for all three days with grandeur. The Maa Mangala Temple has become a vibrant center of festivity as devotees and the administration gear up for the three-day Basantika Durga Puja celebration.
