Odisha: Bhadrak gears up for Kali Puja; special rituals held at Maa Bhadrakali Temple

Bhadrak: Bhadrak district of Odisha geared up to celebrate Kali Puja on the auspicious occasion of Diwali today. Special rituals were held at Maa Bhadrakali Temple, located on the outskirts of the town.

As Maa Bhadrakali is the presiding deity of Bhadrak, Kali Puja is celebrated across the district with much fanfare. The deity will give darshan to her devotees in different attires in seven days starting today.

Arrangements have been made to hold special rituals of the deity for Kali Puja. Thousands of devotees have turned up to witness the Saptamatruka Besha of Mother Kali.

On Diwali, Mother Kali gives darshan in Bedamata Besha in the morning. The deity dons Mahakali Besha, Rajrajeswari Besha, Singhabahini Besha, Jagadhatri Besha, Maha Saraswati Besha and Maha Lakshmi Besha in subsequent days.

"Devotees will see Bedamata Besha of Maa Kali today. The ritual is underway following the Maha Snana ritual of the deity at 4 am. The Besha of Mother Kali is divine as one attains all kinds of spiritual knowledge, gets relief from all sorrows of life. The special rituals of Maa Kali will be held throughout the day and night on the occasion of Diwali," said a priest of the temple.

"The temple administration has made arrangements for devotees for smooth darshan. Arrangements have also been made to offer anna prasad of deity at the temple. All devotees will get prasad today. Maa Kali is worshipped as the mother with calmness throughout the year here. But, today on Kali Puja, she will don a long tongue, which is the signature of Mother Kali, during the night hours," he added.