Ghatagaon, July 10: Thousands of devotees gathered at the Maa Tarini Temple in Ghatagaon on Thursday to witness the goddess adorned in her radiant ‘Sunabesha’ (golden attire), a major highlight of the annual Asadhi Parva.
This spiritually significant festival marks the day when Maa Tarini observes a sacred fast for the well-being of her devotees.
As part of the tradition, the temple remains closed throughout the day, only reopening in the evening when the goddess is unveiled in her ‘Sunabesha’. Puja rituals are performed exclusively during this evening window, drawing large crowds of worshippers from across the region.
The event is seen as a powerful symbol of divine grace and devotion, blending ritual observance with deep community faith. This festival is not only spiritual but also deeply connected to the agricultural life of the local communities. Farmers from the 22 revenue villages of Nirat Panchayat participate by offering "Boda" to Maa Tarini before beginning their sowing activities, seeking blessings for a bountiful harvest.
In the evening, a large gathering of devotees arrives at the temple to witness the golden attire (Suna Besha) of the goddess-a highlight of the celebration. To manage the influx of worshippers, the temple administration has made extensive arrangements to ensure an orderly and safe darshan for all devotees.
The Ashadhi festival blends agricultural traditions, local customs, and divine worship, making it a unique and spiritually uplifting event in the religious calendar of Odisha.
