The
famous Sodasha Puja at Tara Tarini Shakti Peeth near Berhampur in Odisha
started from Mulastami i.e. on 04 October, 2015. This Puja will continue till
Mahastami i.e. on 20th October, 2015. In major Shakti Peethas like Kamakshya,
Daksinakali, Tara Tarini, Bimala, Chamundeswari and Maha Kali the Durga Puja is
observed for 16 days, starting from Bhadrapada Krushna Paksha Ashtami to
Ashvina Shukla Paksha Navami of the Hindu Calendar, also known as Shodasa Puja
or Shodasa Dinatmaka Upachara.
Noteworthy
Tara Tarini is worshiped as the Breast Shrine (Sthana Peetha) and
manifestations of Adi Shakti. The Tara Tarini Shakti Peetha is one of the
oldest pilgrimage centers of the Mother Goddess and is one of four major
ancient Tantra Peethas and Shakti Peethas in India.
Amidst
chanting of hymns the Sodasha Puja also known as Devi Utthapana began at Tara
Tarini shrine after 3.00 pm on Mulastami. 108 Sevakas of Tara Tarini Shakti
Peeth brought 108 pots of water from the holy Rushikulya River flowing at the
foothill of the shrine. After rituals of
Snana, Majana, Mangala Arati, Maha Arati, Chhandi Path and commencement of Chandi
Yagna in the established tradition, the goddess gave darshan to her devotees in
the Rajarajeswari Besha and the entire process continued till 12.30 pm next day.
As
per the information from the shrine, the Chandi Patha and Chandi Yagna started on
the first day of Sodasha Puja will continue till last day of Vijayadashami /
Dussehra. Out of the 16 days, the Navratri Puja will start from October 13 and
will culminate on October 21. Navaratri is the last nine days of Shodasa Puja
and the Shakti is also worshiped by devotees in different pandals for a period
of nine days.
According
to the Vedic scriptures, Adi Shakti or Goddess Durgā is a symbol of power. She
is worshipped in nine different forms and is therefore termed Nava-durgā. Each
of the nine manifestation of Durgā are worshipped with full devotion during Navarātri
at Tara Tarini Adi Shakti Peeth. These nine forms of manifestation are
Śhailaputrī, Brahmachāriṇī, Chandrakaṇṭā, Kuṣhmāṇḍā, Skandamātā, Kātyāyanī,
Kālarātrī, Mahāgaurī and Siddhidātrī. It is believed that if worshipped ‘Nava
Durgā’ with religious fervor during Navaratri, it bestows all spiritual
fulfillment to a devotee.
The
Sodasha Puja, Navratri and Vijayadashami are very important and major festivals
in the religious calendar of this Shakti Peeth. During this entire 16 days
period, the sanctum of Maa Tara Tarini remains open round the clock for Darshan
of the devotees. Lakhs of devotees gathering to obtain darshan of Maa during
Sodasha Puja.
Ram
Prasad Tripathy
PRO,
Tara Tarini Development Board,
Berhampur, Odisha
No comments:
Post a Comment