Sambalpur, Oct 2: Thousands of devotees flocked to the Samaleswari Temple on Wednesday to witness the 'Dhabalamukhi Besha' of Goddess Samaleswari, the presiding deity of Sambalpur, on the occasion of Mahalaya.
Throughout the year, Maa Samaleswari is adorned in a red costume, but during Mahalaya, she is dressed in white. This special attire, known as 'Dhabalamukhi Besha' or 'Ganga Darshan,' is believed to offer devotees the same spiritual benefits of taking a holy dip in the Ganga River.
As Navratri approaches, Maa Samaleswari will be adorned with various Beshas, including Sailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kusumanda, Skandhamata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagouri, and Raja Rajeswari. The temple witnesses a surge in visitors during these nine days, attracting devotees from Odisha and neighboring states.
Mahalaya marks the beginning of the Durga Puja celebrations and is observed at the end of Shradh or Pitru Paksha, a 16-day period dedicated to honoring ancestors. This year, Mahalaya falls on October 2. Following this, the Navratri Puja will continue for nine days at the Samaleswari Temple, where devotees will come to light 'Akhanda Deepa' throughout the festival.
Mahalaya symbolizes the start of the festive season, with many believing that on this day, Goddess Durga embarks on her journey from Mount Kailash, where she resides with Lord Shiva, to her maternal home on Earth. According to the Hindu calendar, Mahalaya celebrations commence a week prior to Durga Puja.
