Berhampur: The 26-day-long biennial Thakurani Yatra concluded in Odisha’s Berhampur early on Tuesday with the ceremonial return of Maa Budhi Thakurani to her temple.
The presiding deity of the city began her return journey from her temporary abode at Desibehera Street around midnight on Monday, with the formal invitation from the chief priest of the temple, requesting Desi Behera P Durga Prasad, the father of Maa Budhi Thakurani, to let her return to the main temple.
At Mahuri Palace, Mahuri Raja Ashok Kumar Narendra Dev offered prayer to the goddess. Later the Ghata procession passed through Bada Bazaar, Santani Sahi, Marthapeta Sahi, Malubari Sahi, Shankarpur Sahi, Jena Sahi, Bachubari Sahi, Kedareswar Sahi, Chandrama Sahi, Khaspa Sahi and Jaura Sahi, where Maa Budhi Thakurani visited Her ‘Mausi’ and was offered ‘Poda pitha’.
The procession then passed through Bedibari Sahi and Khadura Sahi amid ‘hulahuli’, animal dance, and blowing of trumpets. Thousands of devotees, including women who took part in the sacred ghata (earthen pot) procession as part of the farewell ceremony, lined the streets through the night. The goddess reached the main temple at around 5 am.
The deity returned to the temple with ‘bhara’ (gifts from father’s house), including saree, bangles, sindoor, ukhuda and muan, (fried paddy sweetened by jaggery) dantikili, segadalu, papad and badi (snacks) and a chicken.
Around 11 platoons of forces and 50 officers were deployed in the city to maintain law and order and manage the crowd. “Elaborate security arrangements were made to ensure the peaceful conclusion of the festival. No untoward incidents were reported,” said Berhampur SP Saravana Vivek M.
