http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=Modernisation+takes+toll&artid=G8Hb9DfempY=&SectionID=mvKkT3vj5ZA=&MainSectionID=fyV9T2jIa4A=&SectionName=nUFeEOBkuKw=&SEO=
Modernisation takes toll Express News Service First Published : 08 Oct 2008 06:55:00 AM ISTLast Updated : 08 Oct 2008 01:36:02 PM ISTSAMBALPUR: Durga Puja celebration in the houses of Utkaliya Brahmins is an age-old tradition. They worship the deity in their way with strict adherence to customs and rituals. However, modernism has taken a toll on this traditional celebration. Years back, the customary Puja was performed by a majority of the Brahmin families, who worshipped Goddess Durga as their presiding deity in different forms like Maa Sureshwari, Maa Bhubaneswari and Maa Maheswari. But at present, the number of families sticking to the ritualistic celebration, is going down. The four-day Puja starts from 'Saptami' with the eldest member of the family observing fast and performing the Puja. The ritual starts with 'Stapana' of the Kalash (sacred pot) which is filled with water from the Mahanadi and a piece of gold immersed to purify and cleanse it. Thereafter the Kalash is worshipped inviting the Goddess to the household marking the beginning of the Puja. As per the tradition, Brahmins of the neighbourhood are invited for 'Prasad Sevan' and while this ritual is being observed, the Kalash is taken out for immersion. Apart from Goddess Durga, Lord Jagannath and Goddess Saraswati are worshipped during the Puja. But with the time, changes have crept in. For instance, the family of Biranchi Narayan Mishra in Nandapada of Sambalpur town have done away with animal sacrifice. ''The ritual of animal killing was continued till my father was alive but later the ritual was rolled back and these days, coconut is being used in place of animal,'' Mishra says. Explaining that the Puja was a regular feature in all Utkaliya Brahmin households which are originally from Puri Sasan, Mishra said that the ritualistic way of celebration is still being continued in the villages of Ramchandrapur and Birapuroshattampur in the Puri Sasan. He adds that unable to carry on the tradition, many Brahmin families have handed over the idols of the presiding deities to temples.
