Chhatar Jatra

Expressbuzz, Oct 16, 2010
BHAWANIPATNA: Thousands of devotees thronged Shakti temple across the district from late Thursday night to offer prayers to the presiding deities as part of Mahasthami celebrations.  The frenzy was high at Manikeswari and Dakhinakali of Bhawanipatna, Lankeswari of Junagarh and Dukri at Talgud, Ambe temple of Kesinga and Durga pandals throughout the district. At Bhawanipatna, after performing the traditional Sandhi puja and secret tantric rituals on Maha Asthami night at the Maa Manikeswari temple, the ceremonial Chhatar of Maa Manikeswari was taken from the temple to Jenakhal, four-km away on the outskirts of the town. Another round of secret rituals were performed at Jenakhal temple before bringing the Chhatar back to Maa Manikeswari temple in the wee hours of Maha Nabami today. All these rituals were performed in a clandestine manner as per the tradition. The deity’s jatra was accompanied by dancers performing Ghumura and other tribal dances. Heavy downpour from early hours today could not deter the devotees from accompanying the Chhatar Jatra. The chorus chants created a thrilling sensation and a sense of awe and wonder among lakhs of devotees who congregated here from different parts of Orissa and the neighbouring states. As a mark of fulfilment of wishes devotees sacrificed goats while some animal-lovers released doves on the occasion. According to sources, about 10,000 goats were sacrificed on the day. The district administration’s appeal not to make sacrifices openly on the streets found little takers. The Collector was also on leave as part of the puja holidays. Earlier, police only distributed leaflets appealing people not to sacrifice, which too did not elicit any response.