Bhubaneswar: In the quaint town of Banapur, Khurdha, Durga Puja is celebrated with a unique twist. The town’s presiding deity, Goddess Maa Bhagabaati, is worshipped along with seven other goddesses, known as the Saptamatru Shakti or the Seven Sisters.

This distinctive celebration, which begins with Maha Bisuba Sankranti and culminates with Kumar Purnima of the Ashwina month, showcases the rich cultural heritage of the region.

The festivities commence with Maa Bhagavati inviting her seven sisters to join the celebration. Each sister, worshipped at different locations, accepts the invitation and joins the festival on specific days. The inner festival of Maa Bhagwati concludes after Bheta Amavasya, while the outer festival of Navaratra begins. The Goddess is then worshipped in the “Sata Ba

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