Gosani Yatra of Puri Durga Puja in Odisha

janhikhai durga in puri in traditional kalinga attire

the jagannath puri, known of india, prepares welcome devi durga. in odisha people call gosani yatra. noteworthy co-worship of mahisamardini durga , madhava (lord jagannath) prevails 11th century, of ganga period, in puri. evident sculptures on temple walls i.e., pista of jagamohana of sun temple @ konark , on northern bedha of bhogamandapa of jagannath temple, in puri.

in these representations, sivalinga, mahisamardini durga , lord jagannath seen installed on pedestal , worshipped king. gosanis represent several aspects of mahisamardini durga @ puri, worshipped during durga puja festival.

the gosani yatra of puri has origin in folk culture. fact evident local folk names bear such kakudikhai, barabati, janhimundia, janhikhai, sunya gosani, panapriya, hadabai, gelabai, belabai etc. there several local traditions , legends behind names of gosanis. during gosani yatra, different types of clay figures of sampati bird along monkeys, ravana lifting kailash mountain, demons, ghosts, nagas, wooden toys etc. worshipped.

at puri, faces of gosani figures depicted in manner, gives impression devi closely watching mahisasura , engaged in fierce fighting. here, in case, both mahisasura , devi @ each other great concentration. evident straight eye contact between them, unlike images of kolkata , cuttack, face of devi depicted in profile.

another feature of gosani images of puri that, demon, in cases, depicted in theriomorphic form i.e., head of buffalo , body of human being.

the autumnal, or sharadiya ceremony, started in different parts of state @ different times. although dates same, traditions differ.