Bhubaneswar: Today is Mahashashthi, the day when Goddess Durga comes to her maternal home with her four children – Lord Ganesha, Maa Lakshmi, Maa Saraswati, and Lord Kartikeya, along with their respective vahans (sacred animals they ride on).
In the puja pandals, the face of Goddess Durga’s idol is unveiled on Shashthi – the first day of the five-day celebrations.
Several rituals are performed on Shashthi such as kalprarambha, bodhon, amontron, and odhibash. The beginning of the Puja is known as Kalprarambha. Unveiling of the face of the Durga idol is known as bodhon, which is performed in the evening. Amontron refers to inviting Devi Durga, while odhibash is the ritual sanctifying the stay of the Goddess in the mandap.
The day begins with Sasthi Puja, followed by the pushpanjali ceremony, and then by aarti and bodhan. On the next day, i.e. Mahasaptami, the tradition is grander, and rituals begin. Maha Saptami is also known as Saptami of Durga Puja and is one of the important days of Durga Puja.
