Bhograi: Ray Mahasaya Durga Puja being celebrated at Dehurda under this block in Balasore had started 511 years ago when land lords used to rule in this part. Over years, the puja has grown with public participation and this year’s budget was pegged at Rs 3 lakh.
A well decorated welcome gate and dazzling electronic lights at Puja pandal have added charm to the puja festivity.
Thousands of devotees thronged the puja site while cultural programme were an added attraction.
It is said that puja has been maintaining a 500-year old culture that was started by Dehurda Ray Mahasya Gad.
In 1505, Sultan Hussain and Shersahah, the then rulers of this region, had offered this zamidar family Ray Mahasay. Since then, Durga Puja is being celebrated.
The Mahsay Gad has preserved memories of the visit of Queen Victoria to the site of East Coast Canal and then maritime activities during the British Raj.
The system of puja followed here is said to have much similarity with that of Laxmannath Ray Mahasay Gad in Jalaswar, 27 km from here.
Earlier, animal sacrifice used to be a part of the puja, but it has been abandoned. Zamidar used to sponsor the puja. The puja faced financial crises, especially after zamidari system was abolished.
Since 1955, people of 22 villages got together, collected donations and organized the puja. But puja is still being organized in Bengali tradition, said the president of the Puja Committee.
A temple of Goddess Durga is inside the Ray Mahasay Gad. That apart, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra, Lord Jagannath, Maa Dakhinakali, Radha Krishna, Maa Shital Takurani, Mahadev and Mahrudra are being worshipped inside the premises.
PNN