Sambalpur: Tomorrow (Saturday) is Mahalaya, Maa Samaleswari will decked in ‘Dhabalmukhi Besha’
Sambalpur: Tomorrow, Thousands of devotees thronged Samaleswari temple in Sambalpur city to have a glimpse of the ‘Dhabalamukhi Besha’ of the Goddess Samaleswari, the presiding deity of undivided Sambalpur district on the occasion of Mahalaya. Maa Samaleswari will give darshan to the devotees in Dhabalmukhi besa (ଧବଳମୁଖୀ ବେଶ).
Maa Samaleswari remains dressed in red costume around the year except on Mahalaya when it changes to white. The ‘Dhabalamukhi Besha’, is also referred to as ‘Ganga Darshan’. It is believed that the darshan of the Goddess in the Besha is as good as taking a holy dip in the Ganga.
According to the information, Preparation for this ‘Besha’ started at midnight following which the doors of the temple were opened for the devotees for ‘darshan’. The devotees waited for the day with all devotion to take a glimpse of the Goddess since morning. They lined up in the long queue to enter the temple.
During the Navaratra, the Maa Samaleswari would be adorned with different Beshas like Sailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kusumanda, Skandhamata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagouri and Raja Rajeswari. During these nine days, the temple also witnessed a huge turnout of devotees from Odisha and neighboring States.
Mahalaya, which marks the beginning of Durga Puja celebrations, is here. It is observed at the end of Shradh or Pitru Paksha, a 16-day period when Hindus pay homage to their ancestors. This year, this special day is falling tomorrow. After Mahalaya, Navaratra Puja continues for nine days in Samaleswari temple. The shrine witnesses huge footfall during these nine days as people come to light ‘Akhanda Deepa’ during Navaratri.
