Bhubaneswar, Oct 16: Special rituals were performed at prominent Shakti Peethas across Odisha on Maha Sasthi during the auspicious Sharadiya Durga Puja. Maa Sureswari in Sonepur, Maa Samaleswari in Bolangir, Maa Biraja in Jajpur and Maa Sarala in Jagatsinghpur are known for their distinctive religious traditions and worship practices.

At Maa Sureswari Temple in Sonepur, special puja rituals are associated with the shrine’s long-standing Tantric traditions. The temple is also known for its traditional Mahabali Jatra.

At Maa Samaleswari Temple in Bolangir, devotees offer prayers to the Goddess, who is worshipped as a manifestation of Adishakti. Special offerings and evening aarti form part of the festive worship.

At Maa Biraja Temple in Jajpur, Maha Sasthi falls during the period of the traditional Simhadhwaja Rath Yatra, in which the Goddess is taken out on a chariot during Durga Puja.

Meanwhile, at Maa Sarala Temple in Jhankad, Jagatsinghpur district, the Goddess is worshipped as a divine embodiment of strength and wisdom. The shrine is known for its distinctive blend of Vedic and Tantric traditions and its traditional Sodasa Upachara rituals.

These sacred shrines reflect Odisha’s rich spiritual heritage, with distinctive customs and rituals observed during the Durga Puja festivities.