Maa Manikeswari Returns To Temple After Chhatar Jatra; Know What’s Unique About This Odisha Festival

Bhawanipatna: Chhatar Jatra of Goddess Manikeswari concluded here on Saturday without the participation of devotees amid COVID-19 restrictions.

After midnight, the Chhatar of Manikeswari, representing the deity, was taken to Jenakhal, on the outskirts of the town, secretly after Sandhi Puja in the temple.

Early on Saturday before sunrise, the Chhatar started its return journey to the temple in a procession under restrictions to prevent congregation.

No devotee was allowed to enter into the temple nor to take part in rituals during the event.

In view of the festival, the district administration had clamped Section 144 CrPC in Bhawanipatna town for three days from Midnight of October 23 to 12 am of October 25. Around 10 platoon force were deployed near the temple and during the procession.

UNIQUE RITUALS

The most unique ritual associated with Maa Manikeswari is the replacement of deity’s head with a new one on Durga Asthami. It is a ‘gupta niti’ (secret ritual) known as Munda Basa, which is derived from two words munda (head) and basa (to place).

As per tradition, the head of the deity is removed at midnight and replaced by a terracotta head studded with gems and ornaments. The old head is then immersed in the Purushottam tank adjacent to the temple.

This placing of the terracotta head may seem surprising. But it may be noted that Maa Manikeswari is headless and hence identified with Devi Durga’s Chhinnamastha avatar. Her body is like a cylindrical structure, over which a clay head is fixed. Thereafter, the body is covered with clothes and ornaments. After Nava Kalebara, Maa returns to her temple on Navami tithi, marked as Chhatar Jatra.

TRIBAL TRADITION

Unique to the Kandh tribe-dominated Kalahandi, Goddess Manikeswari is considered to be a blend of the tribal and non-tribal cultures of Odisha. Earlier, both the Royal family and tribals participated in the rituals and made offerings to the goddess.

ANIMAL SACRIFICE

On January 6, the Orissa High Court had imposed a ban on the sacrifice of animals and birds in and around Maa Manikeswari Temple during Chhatar Jatra. The Supreme Court, however, on October 16 put an interim stay on the High Court order of restricting animal sacrifice during the festival.

Hundreds of innocent animals were earlier killed on the road during the procession of the Chhatar of Maa Manikeswari from the main temple to Jenakhol, a distance of 3 km, in Bhawanipatna.

Also Read: Chhatar Jatra: A Unique Blend Of Tribal Fanfare & Devotion In Odisha