Basanti Durga Puja 2025 Begins in Cuttack with Grand Rituals and Cultural Fervour

Basanti Durga Puja 2025 Begins in Cuttack with Grand Rituals and Cultural Fervour (Representative Image: Canva)

Cuttack city came alive with vibrant celebrations as Basanti Durga Puja festivities commenced on Thursday, drawing devotees and cultural enthusiasts alike. Traditionally observed during the spring season, this auspicious festival marks the worship of Goddess Durga in her springtime form, and is celebrated with great enthusiasm across various parts of Odisha.

This year, 18 puja mandaps across the city are hosting the Basanti Puja celebrations. The day began with the sacred ‘Bilwo Barani’ or ‘Bilwadhibasa’ ritual, where a bael (wood apple) tree is worshipped in reverence, followed by the Sasthi Puja, marking the formal start of the festival.

Each puja mandap in Cuttack has added its own unique spiritual touch to the celebration. For instance, the Ring Road puja pandal in the CDA locality is worshipping the idol of Bharat Mata, while the Marwadi Club at Manik Ghose Bazar is performing puja of Goddess Vaishno Devi. The Machhua Bazar mandap has chosen to worship Sarpa Durga, reflecting the city's rich spiritual diversity. The remaining 15 mandaps are devoted to the traditional idol of Goddess Durga.

Speaking on the historical significance of the festival, priest Sudhakar Dash at the Sutahat mandap shared, “The true season for Durga Puja is spring. It was initiated by King Suratha, long before Lord Ram’s autumn worship of Goddess Durga became popular.”

As per Bhikari Das, secretary of the Mahanagar Puja Committee, the celebrations will continue until April 7, with vibrant rituals, devotional songs, and community feasts. The idol immersion procession for Bharat Mata, Vaishno Devi, and Sarpa Durga will be held on April 7, while the immersion of idols from the remaining puja mandaps will take place on April 8.

The spirit of Basanti Durga Puja in Cuttack not only preserves an ancient tradition but also showcases the city's cultural richness and devotion during the vibrant season of spring.