Bhubaneswar, Sept. 21 -- https://images.odishatv.in/uploadimage/library/16_9/16_9_0/recent_photo_1758434998.webp
Goddess Samaleswari, the revered presiding deity of Sambalpur, appeared before devotees in the rare Dhabalamukhi Besha on Sunday. The Goddess will remain in this divine form for two and a half days.
As per tradition, this sacred appearance is witnessed only once a year, on the concluding day of Pitru Paksha, known as Mahalaya. It is believed that having darshan of the Goddess in this attire bestows spiritual merit equivalent to taking a holy dip in the River Ganga.
On all other days, the Goddess is adorned in a vermilion-hued appearance. However, on Mahalaya, she is coated in a white paste made from conch and gopi tilak, dress...