Posts filed under ‘Chhatar Jatra’
Chhatar Jatra: A report from Expressbuzz
Following report is from expressbuzz.com:
BHAWANIPATNA: Thousands of devotees thronged Shakti temple across the district from late Thursday night to offer prayers to the presiding deities as part of Mahasthami celebrations.
The frenzy was high at Manikeswari and Dakhinakali of Bhawanipatna, Lankeswari of Junagarh and Dukri at Talgud, Ambe temple of Kesinga and Durga pandals throughout the district.
At Bhawanipatna, after performing the traditional Sandhi puja and secret tantric rituals on Maha Asthami night at the Maa Manikeswari temple, the ceremonial Chhatar of Maa Manikeswari was taken from the temple to Jenakhal, four-km away on the outskirts of the town. Another round of secret rituals were performed at Jenakhal temple before bringing the Chhatar back to Maa Manikeswari temple in the wee hours of Maha Nabami today. All these rituals were performed in a clandestine manner as per the tradition.
The deity’s jatra was accompanied by dancers performing Ghumura and other tribal dances. Heavy downpour from early hours today could not deter the devotees from accompanying the Chhatar Jatra. The chorus chants created a thrilling sensation and a sense of awe and wonder among lakhs of devotees who congregated here from different parts of Orissa and the neighbouring states.
As a mark of fulfilment of wishes devotees sacrificed goats while some animal-lovers released doves on the occasion. According to sources, about 10,000 goats were sacrificed on the day. The district administration’s appeal not to make sacrifices openly on the streets found little takers. The Collector was also on leave as part of the puja holidays. Earlier, police only distributed leaflets appealing people not to sacrifice, which too did not elicit any response
Potential of Kalahandi to become a great tourist attraction of India
Following is a report from the OTV:
Bhawanipatna: Unexplored flora and fauna, lush green forests, untouched waterfalls and serpentine roads penetrating the dense jungles – this is Kalahandi at its best. The tribal-dominated district might have earned the dubious distinction for child sale and hunger deaths, but at the same time the place beckons tourists from across the country and abroad.
That Kalahandi is a repository of nature and natural resources is a manifest truth. But it is said that the same territory is also home to a host of unexplored picturesque places. Scan this.
Nearly 16 kilometre from Bhabanipatna, there thrives two enchanting waterfalls – Phulri and Ghusurigudi. The two waterfalls are also a treasure-trove of beauty and adventure, akin to Khandadhar in Sundergarh district, which is one of the most famous waterfalls in Orissa.
It will be a heavenly treat for tourists to wade through the greenery of jungles to reach Phulri waterfall. Equally adventurous is the Ghusurigudi waterfall, which can be reached by trekking three hills.
Locals have been demanding to promote and popularise the scintillating destinations that have been lying under cover from the outer world. The state tourism department, which is making tall claims for the development of tourism, is also not aware of the breathtaking sites.
Kalahandi is also famous for Manikeswari temple the palace which was built by the erstwhile Naga kingdom. The temple used to be the abode of Goddess Manikeswari, the deity of the royal family. Even today, the shrine has much royal significance attached to it. The then king was a good Samaritan and had steered Kalahandi on path of development and prosperity by constructing well-furnished wide roads, schools and tube wells in the town. And interestingly, the kingdom’s philanthropy is still tangible in the town.
Manikeswari temple has some strict rituals for devotees. Devotees are not allowed to enter the shrine’s sanctum sanctorum. They can have the glimpse of the deity from the outer precinct inside the temple. Camera are not allowed at the shrine. Chhatar Yatra is the main festival of Goddess Manikeswari in which hundreds of animals are sacrificed to propitiate the deity as per tradition.
Kosal Discussion and Development Forum 