Chhatar Jatra of goddess Manikeswari held in Odisha’s Kalahandi

Bhawanipatna: The annual Chhatar Jatra of goddess Manikeswari, the presiding deity of Bhawanipatna in Kalahandi district, was held in the town today with pomp and gaiety.

Hundreds of devotees performed Puja of the goddess on the roadside amid animal sacrifices.

As per the age-old tradition, a procession was taken out from Manikeswari temple to Jena Khala in the wee hours and Vijay Jatra was started at around 5.00 am after performing the Gupta Puja (secret ritual). Traditional drums and trumpets were played during the divine procession in which at least 28 different cultural groups participated, an official source said.

The devotees from and outside the district paid their obeisance to the presiding deity.

Kalahandi yuvraj Ananta Pratap Deo along with other members of the royal family welcomed and took the Chhatar to the temple.

Twelve platoons of police force were deployed to control the law and order in the town. Two Additional SPs, nine Deputy SPs, 19 Inspectors, 31 sub-Inspectors, 54 ASIs and several constables led by Kalahandi Superintendent of Police (SP) Abilash G took part in the drive.