Boudh: While most Shakti Peethas in Odisha welcome devotees for darshan during Durga Puja, the shrine of Maa Bhairabi at Puranakatak in Boudh district follows a different tradition. Here, the temple doors remain closed to devotees for sixteen days as the goddess is worshipped in secrecy. Known as ‘Gupta Puja’, this unique ritual is deeply rooted in the faith and traditions of the people of Boudh.
The special worship, known as ‘Shodasha Upachara Puja’, begins on Mula Ashtami, during the bright fortnight of the Hindu month of Ashwin, and continues for sixteen days. According to local tradition, the goddess remains hidden from public view during this period. Devotees must wait until the temple reopens to catch a glimpse of their beloved deity.
For the people of Boudh, Maa Bhairabi is more than a presiding deity; she is an integral part of their everyday lives. From the moment they step out of their homes to the beginning of an auspicious occasion, many devotees remember the goddess and seek her blessings. They believe that no important task is complete without invoking her name.
According to local beliefs and ancient palm-leaf manuscripts, the sixteen-day worship is performed in secrecy. Although devotees cannot enter the temple for darshan, they gather near the Sahada tree, also known as the sandpaper tree, close to the temple premises. They offer prayers at the foot of the tree, believing that doing so brings the same spiritual merit and blessings as having darshan of Maa Bhairabi.
The ritual begins with a traditional procession carrying the sacred sword, known as ‘Patakhanda’, the ceremonial umbrella, the processional idol of the goddess and other ritual items from the Dehuri’s house to the temple.
The procession moves to the sounds of traditional musical instruments, including drums, nishan, mahuri and bells. For local people, this is an important part of the annual religious tradition, bringing together devotees and residents from surrounding villages.
Once the procession reaches the temple, the premises are sealed off. The priests then perform the rituals in secrecy, usually at midnight, for sixteen consecutive days.
One of the most fascinating beliefs associated with the worship concerns the goddess’s vehicle, or ‘vahan’, known as ‘Shardula’, which is identified with a tiger. According to the temple’s traditional beliefs, Shardula visits the shrine at midnight during the ritual period and receives offerings from the chief priest.
Temple head priest Madhusudan Dehuri explained that the vehicle is believed to arrive at the temple every night during the sixteen-day ritual. The chief priest offers the prescribed food, after which Shardula is believed to return to the forest.
This unusual belief adds to the mystery and spiritual significance of the secret worship, setting the Maa Bhairabi shrine apart from many other Shakti Peethas in Odisha.
Although devotees cannot see the goddess during the ritual period, their faith remains unwavering. Many believe that lighting lamps and offering prayers during Shodasha Upachara Puja help fulfil their wishes.
“Anyone who visits Maa Bhairabi and asks for something with a sincere heart believes that the goddess listens to their prayers and fulfils their wishes,” said researcher Sukanta Pattnaik, describing the deep faith people have in the deity.
Local traditions associated with the shrine further strengthen this belief. Devotees speak of a sacred water source at the goddess’s original seat, where water is said to flow throughout the year. According to local belief, the flow stops when someone touches the water with a hand that has been used for eating without being washed. It is said to resume flowing after worship is performed. For devotees, such stories form an important part of the shrine’s spiritual heritage.
“Those who know the importance of Maa’s shrine can never forget it. Its glory is immense. The original seat of the goddess has a special significance,” said devotee Sukanta Das.
The sixteen-day ritual is not confined to the temple alone. It brings together people from surrounding villages, who contribute to the arrangements and help preserve the age-old tradition.
“People from around 16 nearby mouzas, including devotees and villagers, come forward to help organise everything,” said temple president Suren Kumar Pradhan.
Their participation reflects the strong bond between the shrine and the local community. For generations, the ritual has remained an important part of the region’s religious and cultural life.
The temple also holds a special place in the hearts of devotees who light lamps during the worship. According to temple representative Bikash Ranjan Mishra, there is a widespread belief that offering lamps during Shodasha Upachara Puja helps devotees fulfil their wishes.
He added that the worship is performed entirely in secrecy and that devotees eagerly await the reopening of the temple for darshan.
The conclusion of the ritual is also linked to the agricultural and cultural life of the region. On the auspicious occasion associated with Maha Navami, newly harvested rice, known as ‘Nabanna’, is offered to the goddess. This is followed by the celebration of ‘Nuakhai’, the traditional harvest festival of western Odisha, among local residents.
The transition from secret worship to the offering of newly harvested rice reflects the close connection between religious faith, agriculture and community life. For the people of Boudh, the goddess is not only a spiritual protector but also a central figure in their collective traditions.
Unlike the shrines of Maa Chandi in Cuttack, Maa Biraja in Jajpur and Maa Samaleswari in Sambalpur, where devotees generally have opportunities for darshan during the festive period, Maa Bhairabi’s shrine follows the distinctive practice of ‘Gupta Puja’. Here, devotion continues even when the goddess remains hidden from public view.
As the sixteen days of secret worship draw to a close, devotees eagerly await the reopening of the temple doors. Their wait is marked by prayers, unwavering faith and the hope of seeing the goddess once again.
At Maa Bhairabi’s shrine in Puranakatak, the spirit of Durga Puja is expressed not only through grand celebrations and public darshan but also through silence, secrecy and unwavering devotion. The tradition serves as a reminder of how deeply faith is woven into the cultural identity of Boudh and how age-old customs continue to shape the lives of its people.
