Telugu residents celebrate mini Dussehra in Cuttack. Pictures by Badrika Nath Das

Cuttack, Sept. 16: Various festivals add to the grandeur of the confluence of several communities in the city. While Dussehra, one of the biggest festivals, is about a fortnight away, the Telugu residents have begun their celebrations.

Known as the “mini Dussehra” of the city, the event began last week. Believed to be a 100-year-old ritual, the deity — Sholapua Amma — is worshipped during this period.

“The tradition started when the goddess was summoned to prevent and relieve people of the diseases such as diarrhoea, measles and so on, common to the season of autumn. It used to be observed by the tant-weavers of the city. The idol is made of a clay pot, which is smeared with turmeric, wrapped with wild flowers, neem stems and leaves. It is then balanced on a pole,” said Rama Rao, a member of the Cuttack Sholapua Amma Puja Committee. The festival is held around the city in three phases.

Each phase begins on a Sunday and concludes on Tuesday. The festival goes on for three weeks before Mahalaya. The first phase attracts a smaller number of followers, when a camp is set up at Ranihat. The second phase is the most significant, covering 12 Sahis (areas) such as Odia Bazar, Sutahat, Diwan Bazar, Buxi Bazar, Hatipokhiri, Dolmundai, Pattapole and so on. Right now, the second phase is on. During this time, the goddess is first carried to the Mahanadi, where a few rituals are performed. Then she is brought to the camp, accompanied by processions.

Today, the deity will be carried for her return journey to the temple at College Square, where she resides permanently.

Though started by the Telugu working class, this tradition of worship has become popular among Odias and now even devotees from Bengal, Andhra Pradesh pay visit to Sholapua Amma. Almost every household in the camp areas offers coconuts and bananas to the goddess.

The last phase will be hosted in seven Sahis in the Telugu slum areas from next Sunday. “Mythological scriptures in praise of Goddess Durga are read throughout the nights during the camps,” said Rao.