History of Durga Puja in Odisha
Various accounts exist, which describe the origin of Durga Puja in the state of Odisha. Some historical accounts agree on the influence from other regions, although some mythological accounts describe an independent origin.
Durga Puja is a festival, which is observed for 10 days. The Durga Puja is celebrated in two different ways in Odisha. In Shakti peethas (temples of goddess) the Durga Puja is observed with proper rituals for 16 days, starting from Krishnapaksha Ashtami to Shukla paksha Navami of the Hindu Oriya Calendar, known as Shodasa dinatmak Upachara. The Goddess Durga is also worshiped by devotees in different pendals in form deities across the state. The pendals are usually decorated beautifully.
According to Markandeya Purana, a King of the Chedi dynasty, Suratha, started the rituals of Durga Puja in 300B.C. The Chedi dynasty ruled in Kalinga (modern Odisha). Durga Puia has different names in different Puranas and Sastras. In Devi Purana and Kalika Purana it is named as Vijaya Dashami. It is named as Mahaparbana in Devi Mahatmya and Duseehera in Markandeya Purana.
Read more about this topic: Durga Puja In Orissa
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