Master craftsman Pradip Kumar Prusty gives finishing touches to the silver filigree backdrop for Bakhrabad Puja Committee’s idol. Picture by Badrika Nath Das

Cuttack, Oct. 22: The representation of Goddess Chhinnamastika on Kali Puja at Bakhrabad is unique among the 60-odd idols set up at various mandaps in the city.

This year, Bakhrabad is all set to add another distinction by coming up with a silver filigree backdrop — locally called chandi medha replete with motifs associated with smashan (cremation ground).

“Around 150kg of silver has been used to mould the chandi medha for the Goddess. It is unique as it has images of a cremation ground and illustrations related to it,” said master artisan Pradip Kumar Prusty of Alisha Bazar, who led a 13-member team that completed the backdrop in six months. “Unlike the other chandi medhas, this 13ft high and 11ft wide intricate tarakashi (silver filigree) backdrop has a banyan tree along with unusual motifs of skeletons, wolves and owl — all symbols related to death,” Prusty said.

The idol at Bakhrabad is not of Kali, but of Chhinnamastika — the goddess, who chopped her own head, holds it in her one hand while three springs of blood spurting out from her neck. One stream is falling into her mouth and the other two streams into the mouths of her two female aides. Her left leg is not over Lord Shiv, but over a couple embracing each other on a lotus.

“The chandi medha has been done for around Rs 1 crore,” said Bakhrabad Puja Committee secretary Samir Bose. Old timers of the area said Bharat Singh, Mukunda Behera and Rama Dalei had introduced this form of worship in the 1950s. But, nobody knows for sure how and under what circumstances, the Chhinnamastika form of worshipping the Goddess began at Bakhrabad.

“The reason is not known to us. We have continued with the tradition without making any change fearing that any deviation may usher in bad luck for us,” Bose said.

What is striking about the Chinnamastika is the stark contrast in the iconographic setting — gruesome decapitation, copulating couple, drinking of fresh blood — all arranged in a delicate harmonious pattern.

The most common interpretation is Chinnamastika signifies self-control, courage and discernment. Experts say Chinnamastika is the sixth of the 10 mahavidyas (great wisdom goddesses).