Bhubaneswar: Odisha, a land steeped in spiritual tradition, pulsates with unparalleled religious fervor as it celebrates Maha Ashtami, the eighth day of the Sharadiya Durga Puja.

This sacred day marks the pinnacle of Durga’s battle against the demon Mahishasura, and the goddess’s power, or Shakti , is invoked at countless temples and Shakti Pithas across the state.

The observances are particularly vibrant in ancient seats of goddess worship, such as the Maa Ambika Temple in Baripada and the site of the magnificent Chhatar Yatra in Bhawanipatna.

In the district of Mayurbhanj, the Maa Ambika Temple in Baripada is a central point of Maha Ashtami celebration. The goddess, worshipped here as Maa Ambika or the ‘Living Goddess,’ is an embodiment of strength, protection, and motherly benevole

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