Devotees of the Telugu community in Cuttack observe mini Dussehra ahead of Durga Puja. Pictures by Badrika Nath Das

Cuttack, Oct. 9: The devotional fervour was high as the Telugu community in the city concluded its age-old Sholapuri Amma festival yesterday.

Better known as mini Dusherra of the Millennium City, the unique celebration of Durga Puja saw the participation of the entire city.

Believed to be over two-century old, this tradition of worshipping Sholapuri Amma, an abstract form of the feminine divinity, was started by the cane or tati weaving Telugu community members, who lived beside the Mahandi river. They seek the deity’s blessings to avoid the contagious diseases such as diarrhoea, measles and other illness that come with the season change during October. Ever since, the entire city has been taking part in the rituals with utmost sincerity.

“The idol of the deity is created out of bamboo poles and a kalash (metal container), which is decorated with neem leaves, haldi and a wide variety of flowers. It is carried in a procession throughout the city in three phases. The elements used for the worshipping rituals are all beneficial for the diseases that the deity is believed to cure. Taking the deity around a lane thus purifies the air and the infections in the area,” said Rama Rao, joint secretary of the Baunsa Gali Sholapuri Amma Puja Committee.

The first phase included Ranihat, while the second phase saw the deity’s worship in 11 sahis or bylanes, including Deewan Bazar, Sutahat, Buxi Bazar, Odia Bazar and so on. The last phase included trips to Seminary School, Hatipokhari, Baropathar Sahi, Dhobi Lane and nearby lanes.

Starting from the amavasya (no moon day) or a month before Mahalaya, the procession is carried for three weeks between Sunday and Tuesday and the final lap concludes before Dusherra.

“We carry the deity after a ritual to infuse life in the idol. This process is carried out at the Sholapuri Amma temple on Filigree Road near College Square. Every time the procession is over, the deity is again brought to this temple,” said Krishna Rao of Deewan Bazar.

The deity is carried from house to house during the procession, where devotees from various communities offer coconuts and other fruits. “We seek the blessings of Solapua Maa (as the deity is commonly called) to seasonal diseases at bay. It is a lovely festival and we observe it as mini Dussehra before the real Dussehra,” said Anupama Sahoo, a home-maker.