Odisha: Puri prepares for 'Gosani Yatra' to bid adieu to Goddess Durga amid COVID-19

sacred city of Puri in Odisha is one of four most important religious sites in Hindu mythology. 'Gosani Yatra' which is ar name for 'Durga Puja' is one of most important festivals in city. Unlike most of places across country, Goddess Durga as Godde Durga is worshipped in a different avatar.

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Odisha: '18-20 feet Mahisamardini Durga idols'

During 'Gosani Yatra', different s of idols such as that of Ravana lifting Kailash mountain, Nagas, and demons are also worshipped. According to Akha culture of Puri, Nagas are male figures who symbolise heroism. idols of Nagas have a human he and a snake-like lower body. While speaking to ANI, Puri's Jagannath Temple's priest Batakrusha Pratihati said that every year, Mahisamardini Durga's idols are me 18 feet to 20 feet tall. 

Pratihari told ANI, "Apart from four Dhams of Hindu religion, re is also a temple of Goddess Bimla Devi inside main temple, which is a 'Shakti Peeth'. We make more than 30 idols of goddess during Navratri, and worship m for 3 days. On day of Ekashi, we light a big Diya, and after watching it, we conduct immersion of idols."

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As world continues to grapple with COVID-19 pandemic, Odisha High Court ordered that height of Durga idols in state should t be more than 4 feet. However, after se orders were released, Satasahi Puja Committee of Puri filed a petition in court, requesting authorities to give m permission to maintain tritional height of idol (18-20 feet) as it was done since 12th century. Incharge of Gosani Puja in Puri Srikrushna Pratihari said that Odisha's HC allowed committee to celebrate Gosani Yatra as per trition of Jagannath Temple along with usual height of idols. 

Srikrushna Pratihari said, " committee h told court that as Gosani Yatra is held as per trition of Jagannath temple, height of idol of Goddess should remain as usual."

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Despite giving permission to maintain usual height of idols, court directed committee members that decision regarding immersion of idols of Goddesses of various puja mandaps will be taken by local ministration. court also directed District Collector and SP to make necessary arrangements for immersion. Puja committees of Puri are conducting rituals with strict herence to COVID-19 guidelines are being followed. 'On October 27, immersions will be conducted as per guidelines of Puri District ministration to avoid large garings,' Pratihari ded. 

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(With ANI inputs, Im: ANI)