The ancient temple housing Maa Chandi was inside Barabati Fort as the presiding deity of the ruler Mukunda Dev. The temple was destroyed during the attack of Barabati Fort by kalapahad around 15550 A.D.. Thereafter Maa Garh-Chandi was being worshipped by devotees in a temple inside the Fort premises close to the area where the Barabati Fort existed. It is also believed that Maa Chandi materialized from underneath the earth where the present Katak-Chandi and Garh-Chandi exist Curing the ten-day-long Dussera festival, the deity is adorned in the manner of the various 'Avatars' of the Goddess which is known as "Veshas" .
Cuttack celebrates Dussera in the month of 'Ashwin' and mass celebration of Dussera Puja commences from 'Sasthi' and immersion of Goddess is held on the eleventh day with pomp and gaity. More than 110 "Sahi Medhas" pass through the streets of Cuttack and are immersed in river Kathajori and Mahanadi.