Dussehra, also known as Vijaya Dashami marking the triumph of good over evil is celebrated today. It is the end of the spectacular ten-day festival celebrating the divine feminine power of Goddess Durga.
Today marks the day when Lord Rama killed the evil King Ravana and Maa Durga herself defeated the demon Mahishasur. Special rituals are being performed at various puja mandaps and shrines across Odisha on the occasion.
However, no rush of devotees was found due to restrictions imposed in view of Covid-19. The Dussehra rituals were concluded at Maa Bimala temple, the presiding goddess of Jagannath temple, amid a divine atmosphere.
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Similarly, special puja is offered to Devi Kakudikhai, who is regarded as the representative of goddess Bimala, outside Srimandir. The goddess bids adieu in the evening of Dussehra.
Though the Dussehra festival is celebrated with much pomp and show every year, Coronavirus pandemic has played a spoilsport this year again. Pandals, which usually blossom with people, are empty due to government restrictions and social distancing guidelines. But the spirit for the festival still remains in the air as always.
Despite the restrictions, puja was carried out during the entire festive period without crowd in small congregations following all the rituals and festivities in honour of Goddess Durga.