Bikash Khemka, TNN | Oct 12, 2013, 01.45 PM IST
BHAWANIPATNA: The famous Chhatar Yatra of Goddess Manikeswari will be celebrated on Saturday.
Like every year, lakhs of devotees from various corners of the district will perform puja and many of them offer animal sacrifice before the deity. Devotees also release doves on the occasion.
Apart from local residents, thousands of devotees from neighboring districts also take part in the rituals. People here believe that the deity will fulfill their wishes when the animals are sacrificed in front of her.
On Astami, after the Sandhi puja, the ceremonial 'chhatar' (umbrella) of the deity will be carried to Jenakhal on the outskirts of the town, 3km from the temple.
Early on Saturday morning, after the performance of the rituals (butchering of animals) at Jenakhal, the priest will start its returnjourney, holding the chhatar of the deity on his shoulders to the Manikeswari temple accompanied by traditional drum beats of jenavadya, ghanta and ghumura.
During the procession, the devotees sacrifice thousands of goats and hens before the deity, which turns into a gory sight on either side of the route. Despite a government ban on slaughtering on the roadside, the practice continues in full view of the police.
The district administration has decided to deploy 10 platoons of police for the peaceful organization of the yatra.
"We have launched awareness campaigns a week before the festival but it is hard to stop the practice by force. However, the slaughtering will be videographed and a report will be submitted to the government," said Kalahandi SP Sarthak Sadangi.
While about 50,000 animals were sacrificed last year, the number is expected to rise this time. Even though several activist groups have been trying to prevent the killings, religious sentiment override their protests.
Like every year, lakhs of devotees from various corners of the district will perform puja and many of them offer animal sacrifice before the deity. Devotees also release doves on the occasion.
Apart from local residents, thousands of devotees from neighboring districts also take part in the rituals. People here believe that the deity will fulfill their wishes when the animals are sacrificed in front of her.
On Astami, after the Sandhi puja, the ceremonial 'chhatar' (umbrella) of the deity will be carried to Jenakhal on the outskirts of the town, 3km from the temple.
Early on Saturday morning, after the performance of the rituals (butchering of animals) at Jenakhal, the priest will start its returnjourney, holding the chhatar of the deity on his shoulders to the Manikeswari temple accompanied by traditional drum beats of jenavadya, ghanta and ghumura.
During the procession, the devotees sacrifice thousands of goats and hens before the deity, which turns into a gory sight on either side of the route. Despite a government ban on slaughtering on the roadside, the practice continues in full view of the police.
The district administration has decided to deploy 10 platoons of police for the peaceful organization of the yatra.
"We have launched awareness campaigns a week before the festival but it is hard to stop the practice by force. However, the slaughtering will be videographed and a report will be submitted to the government," said Kalahandi SP Sarthak Sadangi.
While about 50,000 animals were sacrificed last year, the number is expected to rise this time. Even though several activist groups have been trying to prevent the killings, religious sentiment override their protests.
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