Puri Famous Gosani Idol Immersion Ceremony Postponed Till Tomorrow Due To Heavy Rain

Puri: The famous Goshani Jatra’s idol immersion ceremony in the pilgrimage town, Puri,  has been cancelled due to heavy rains.

According to reports, Gosani Jatra which was scheduled for this evening in Puri has been postponed till tomorrow due to inclement weather conditions.

The immersion ceremony will take place tomorrow if the weather condition improves.

The decision was taken following a discussion between the district administration represented by the Sub Collector and the Srikshetra Puja Committee.

Unlike other places, ‘Durga Puja’, one of the important colourful festivals of the Shakti pantheon is observed here as the ‘Gosani Jatra’.

This Jatra is unique to Puri and is an indigenous cultural trait of the holy city, not found elsewhere.

The peculiarity here is huge clay idols of Mahisha-asura-mardini-Goddess Durga, the killer of the buffalo demon are worshipped as Gosanis.

As per tradition, around 60 clay images of Gosanis from different sahis (neighbourhoods) of the holy town gather in front of the Singhdwar of the Shree Jagannath Temple for a Devasabha (assembly of gods) on Ekadasi tithi (11th day) of the Shukla paksha (bright fortnight) of the Hindu lunar month of Asvin and late in the night are taken to nearby rivers for visarjan (immersion).

Gosanis have typical names like Kakudikhai (she who eats cucumbers), Janhikhai (she who eats ridge gourd), Janhimundia, Sunya Gosani, Panapriya, Hadabai, Kantakadhi, Gelabai, Belabai etc.