Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Shakti-rupena Samsthita
To the Goddess who dwells in all beings as divine energy, we bow again and again.
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Saturday, October 17
Puja Schedule
* Schedule is tentative and subject to change. Final timings will be updated closer to the event.
What Is Maha Saptami?
Durga Puja honors Maa Durga, the ten-armed form of the Divine Mother and the embodiment of Shakti. Maha Saptami, the seventh day of the bright fortnight of Ashwin, is when the main worship begins: the Goddess is invoked into her murti, and the days of puja, prayer and festivity that follow lead to her victory on Vijaya Dashami.
The Story of Maa Durga
The demon Mahishasura won a boon that no man or god could defeat him, and drove the gods from heaven. The gods joined their divine energies, and from that light Maa Durga was born. Shiva gave her his trident, Vishnu his discus, Indra his thunderbolt. Riding her lion, she fought Mahishasura for nine days and destroyed him on the tenth: the triumph of good over evil.
Durga Puja in Odisha
A Festival of Silver, Gold and Devotion
Across Odisha, Durga Puja is one of the year’s grandest celebrations. Cuttack is world famous for its Chandi Medha and Suna Medha, the Goddess adorned in exquisite silver and gold filigree. Towns and villages fill with beautifully crafted mandaps, the sound of the ghanta and conch, and families visiting puja after puja late into the night.
In Puri, within the Jagannath temple itself, Maa Bimala, honored as a Shakti Peetha, receives special worship during these days, a reminder that Lord Jagannath and the Divine Mother are celebrated together.
Why Children Love Maa Durga
To children she is a heroine: ten arms, a fearless lion, and a story where courage wins. And she never comes alone. Durga Puja celebrates her homecoming with her children Ganesha, Kartikeya, Lakshmi and Saraswati. In Odisha, the Puja chhuti school holidays mean new clothes, festive food and days spent at the mandap, memories that stay for a lifetime.
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Celebrated Every Year at Sri Jagannath Temple, Chicago
Every year, our temple family brings the spirit of Odisha’s Durga Puja to Chicago. Grandparents, parents and children gather side by side for the Puja, Pushpanjali and Aarti, bhog and prasad, and bhajans sung together. Everyone in the community is welcome.
Pushpanjali
Aarti
Bhog & Prasad
Bhajans
📍 Sri Jagannath Temple, 2295 Church Rd, Aurora, IL 60502
🙏 Book an Archana
Reserve an Archana or special puja for your family as part of this celebration.