Bhawanipatna: Thousands of devotees gathered in Bhawanipatna, the district headquarters of Odisha’s Kalahandi, as the iconic annual Chhatar Yatra of Goddess Manikeswari, the presiding deity of the region, concluded with grand religious fervor and deep devotion. Attracting pilgrims from across Odisha and neighboring states including Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and West Bengal, the festival serves as a vital symbol of Kalahandi’s spiritual heritage, tribal folk culture, and collective identity.
The sacred rituals began on the night of Maha Ashtami at the Maa Manikeswari Temple, where darshan had been suspended from Sunday noon until 4 pm on Monday. Late at night, the deity’s movable symbol, the decorated Bijay Chhatar (victorious umbrella)—adorned with vibrant cloth, garlands, and fresh flowers—was brought out of the sanctum sanctorum and taken under security escort to Jenakhal in the Paschim Upakanta Phasi Dangar area on the outskirts of the town. Following secret worship rites, weapon worship (Shastra Upasana), and traditional rituals performed at Jenakhal in the early hours, the ceremonial procession commenced around 5 am on Monday to return the deity to the main temple.
The return journey reached the temple at 7:44 am amid an outpouring of faith from crowds lining the entire route. The procession featured around 35 cultural troupes, including bell ensembles and traditional Ghumura artists whose rhythmic beats and Nishan drums added a vibrant atmospheric energy to the event. Along the way, devotees fulfilled vows and sought blessings, with traditional ritualistic animal sacrifices also marking the event. Upon arrival at the temple, the Maharaja performed the customary Bandapana ritual before the Chhatra was reinstated inside the sanctum sanctorum.
To manage the massive public turnout and maintain order, the district administration and police implemented extensive security and traffic measures. Under the direction of Kalahandi SP Nagaraj Devarakonda, 15 platoons of police forces, 95 police officers, and over 100 home guards were deployed alongside three dedicated police control rooms at Jenakhal, Bhagirathi Hotel, and the temple premises. Key access routes from Junagad, Thuamul Rampur, Kesinga, and Narla were barricaded, while 25 CCTV cameras and drone surveillance monitored the entire procession route. Designated parking facilities were set up at major sites, including the college ground, DIET ground, Dayanidhi Chowk, Hill Town, Police School, and Railway Chowk, with heavy traffic redirected to bypasses to ease congestion.
Beyond its spiritual import, the Chhatar Yatra provides a significant boost to Kalahandi’s local economy, benefiting vendors, transport operators, and traders, while offering a platform for local folk artists to preserve and display their heritage.
