28-Day ‘Thakurani Yatra’ Ends With Procession Of 1 Lakh Pitchers In Odisha’s Berhampur

Berhampur: The 28-day biennial festival of Buddhi Thakurani, popularly known as Thakurani Yatra, in Berhampur came to an end with return of the Goddess to her own abode on Tuesday.

Considered as the daughter of the Desi Behera (head of the weavers’ community of Berhampur), Buddhi Thakurani stayed in her parental home in a temporary abode during the yatra period. The festival, which began on April 4 night, concluded in a grand function on May 1 night. “I am happy that everything passed off peacefully,” said Desi Behera P Durga Prasad.

The process for the return journey of the Goddess to her original temple started with the formal invitation to the deity by the chief priest of the original temple. He requested Desi Behera to let the Goddess return to the main temple.

Buddhi Thakurani left her father’s house at midnight amid shower of 150 kg of flowers towards Mahuri Palace where Mahuri Raja offered prayer to the Goddess. Later, the ‘ghata’ (pitcher) procession of Buddhi Thakurani with about 1 lakh ghatas passed through Bada Bazar, Santani Sahi, Marthapeta Sahi, Malubari Sahi, Shankarpur Sahi, Jena Sahi, Bachubari Sahi, Kedareswar Sahi, Chandrama Sahi, Khaspa Sahi, Jaura Sahi, Bedibari Sahi and Khadura Sahi.

Amidst animal dance and blowing of trumpets by the devotees, the Goddess reached the main temple at 3 am on Tuesday. Thousands of devotees stood on the streets to offer prayer to the Goddess. The women with ghatas were seen entering the main temple till 11 am.

During the yatra, the ghata procession was held every day when the deity was carried to different streets of the city. She travelled to 24 streets and 17 ‘Rathas’ (chariots) and 13 ‘Kalakunja’ (decorations by local residents) were erected in Old Berhampur to welcome Budhi Thakurani.

Total 10 platoons of police were deployed in the area to maintain law and order during the return journey of Budhi Thakurani to the main temple, according to Berhampur SP Saravana Vivek M.