Bhubaneswar: Durga Puja celebrations have gripped Odisha, with devotees thronging temples and decorated puja pandals across the state today. While Maha Ashtami rituals are being performed at Shakti Peethas, Maha Saptami puja is underway at Durga Puja pandals.

Major towns and cities are witnessing large gatherings as people are visiting pandals to seek blessings of Goddess Durga. Special security arrangements have been made at several locations to regulate traffic, manage crowds and ensure smooth darshan. Fairs have also been organised at many places as part of the festivities.

At Banki in Kataka district, the Shakti Peetha of Goddess Charchika is witnessing a festive atmosphere on the occasion of Maha Ashtami. Special rituals are being performed at the temple, while the temple premises have been decorated with flowers.

The day's rituals began at 4 am, when servitors brought 108 pots of holy water from the Mahanadi river for the ceremonial ritual of the deity. This was followed by Surya Puja, Dwarapala Puja and Ballabha Puja. Morning offerings, including Manduka Bhoga, were also made to the goddess.

According to tradition, Goddess Charchika will appear before devotees in her Rajarajeshwari Besha in the afternoon. Devotees from Banki and distant places are arriving at the temple to witness the deity in this special attire.

In Jagatsinghpur district, Maha Ashtami is being observed at the famous Sarala Temple. The goddess is being worshipped in her Mahagauri form, and devotees are gathering to seek her blessings.

Meanwhile, the temple of Goddess Biraja, the presiding deity of Jajpur, has also witnessed a surge in devotees on Maha Ashtami. The temple has been decorated for the occasion.

Early in the morning, servitors brought holy water from the Baitarani river for the ceremonial bathing of the deity. Devotees were subsequently allowed to have darshan.

A special feature at the Biraja temple on the occasion is the opportunity for devotees to enter the sanctum sanctorum, have a close view of the goddess's face and touch the feet. This has drawn large crowds to the temple.

Across Odisha, devotees are visiting religious sites and pandals in large numbers to offer prayers and participate in the celebrations.