Puri, Oct 13: The 25th edition of Puri Heritage Walks (PHW) was organised on Sunday to explore the distinctive “Sharadiya Shola Puja” traditions and the religious heritage of Srikshetra. 

The walk began at Maa Ardhasini Temple on the Grand Road. Co-convenor Ashoka Manjari Nayak and the temple priest explained the Goddess’s significance in the traditions of Shree Jagannath Temple. Popularly known as Mausi Maa, Maa Ardhasini is traditionally regarded as the maternal aunt of the sibling deities. 

Participants also learned about the offering of “Poda Pitha” to the deities during “Bahuda Yatra” and the local legends associating the Goddess with the Malini River. The participants then visited Maa Bisweswari Temple in Chudanga Sahi, North of the Shree Jagannath Temple. Traditionally associated with the Ganga Dynasty ruler Chodaganga Deva, the shrine holds an important place in the Tantric traditions of the Holy City.

According to local accounts, Maa Bisweswari was the guardian deity of “Nitei Dhobani”, a tantric practitioner and spiritual preceptor of King Chodaganga Deva. “Nitei Dhobani” is believed to have worshiped and consecrated the Goddess here. Local traditions also associate her with the royal affairs of Chodaganga Deva. The king’s palace is believed to have stood near the present temple, at a site known as “Badu Mahapatra Jaga”.

The presiding Goddess is regarded as a manifestation of Maa Tara, one of the principal tantric deities. Her 16-day “Shola Puja” begins on “Mulashtami” and continues until Mahanavami during Durga Puja. The four-armed Goddess is depicted holding a Khadga (Sword), a blue lotus, and a dagger in three hands, and the right lower hand is in a blessing giving pose. The shrine faces South, and local belief holds that the Goddess gazes towards the Nilachakra of Shree Jagannath Temple. PHW member Priyankar Maharana explained the Goddess’s iconography, historical associations and worship traditions to the participants.

The walk also covered Maa Marichai Temple, Maa Charchika at “Rath Khala” and Maa Sola Pua Temple in Dolamandap Sahi. Participants learned about their association with “Shola Puja” and Puri’s religious traditions. Maa Charchika’s shrine, located within the Shree Jagannath Temple office building, houses the Goddess in her Chamunda form along with Mahavir and Bhairava. “Rath Khala” is traditionally associated with the construction of the chariots for the annual Rath Yatra.

The principal attraction of the heritage walk was the darshan of Durga Madhab at Narayani Temple in Dolamandap Sahi. The ritual represents a distinctive tradition of Srikshetra, where Goddess Durga is ceremonially worshiped with Madhab, a form associated with Lord Jagannath.

The 16-day “Shodasha Puja” begins on Mulashtami. During this period, Madhab and Goddess Jayadurga are ceremonially united for worship. Following the prescribed rituals and the offering of the “Agyanmala”, or garland signifying divine permission, Jayadurga is brought from the Bhandaraghara and placed beside Madhab on a special seat known as the Bhadrasana.

From “Ashwina Shukla Pratipada”, the divine pair undertake a daily ceremonial journey outside the Shree Jagannath Temple. After the morning “Dhupa” ritual, Durga Madhab travels in a chariot-shaped “Bimana”, or ceremonial palanquin, to the Narayani Temple, accompanied by traditional ceremonial observances. The deities receive prescribed worship and offerings at the shrine before returning to Srimandir at night following the evening rituals, including “Chandana Lagi”.

This nine-day journey, continuing until Mahanavami, is popularly known as “Shakta Gundicha” or “Gupta Gundicha Yatra”.  Another surprise stop was “Prabhuji ki Baithak” near “Marichikot Chhak”, a historic spiritual seat associated with the Vaishnava saint Swami Vallabhacharya. Caretaker Madhu Shri narrated the saint’s visit to Puri, his scholarly engagement at the Mukti Mandap and traditions associated with his stay in Srikshetra. She also presented her poetry collection, Madhuruchi, to the Puri Heritage Walks library.

Around 20 heritage enthusiasts from Puri, Cuttack, Jatni, Jagatsinghpur, Rourkela and other parts of Odisha participated in the walk, visiting several Devi shrines and a historic spiritual centre.