JEYPORE:Braving rains, thousands of tribals from across the district thronged Dussehra Ground here on Saturday to witness Aparajita Puja and the traditional lathi procession to mark the end of the 10-day long Dussehra festival.
After performing specific rituals of Vijaya Dasami puja at Bhagabati Temple, the tribal heads from various villages took out a procession with lathis and palanquins of Devi Bhagabati to reach Kalika Temple. Dressed in traditional attires, these men later proceeded towards Dussehra Ground, where Aparajita Puja was performed at the midnight.
Once the puja was completed, the tribal heads embarked on a journey back to their respective villages for keeping the sacred lathis at various altars in Koraput, Nabarangpur and Malkangiri.Tribals come to the town with these ‘lathis’ from far-flung villages. During the Dussehra festival, the ‘lathis’ are kept at Bankomotho during daytime. The men take these ‘lathis’ to Baghabati Temple for performing rituals at night during the last five days of the festival.
Jeypore Puja Committee organised Ravanapodi at Dussehra Ground. The village headmen and priests were crowned with specially-designed seroppas (or head gears) by the scion of Jeypore royal family. Jeypore MLA Tara Prasad Bahiipati, ASP Pravat Kumar Pradhan and Sub-Collector C S Rathod were present at the ceremony. Vijaya Dasami was also celebrated in Koraput, Sunabeda, Semiliguda, Potangi, and Borrigumma. Earlier, seven puja pandals across the town drew huge crowds. The festivities hindered the vehicular movements across the town, causing jams at important areas.
‘Lakhamara’ fest celebrated in Bhawanipatna
Bhawanipatna: ‘Lakhamara’ (archery) festival of Goddess Manikeswari was celebrated with pomp and gaiety on the occasion of Vijaya Dasami on Saturday. The ‘Chatra’ (a bael wood covered with golden cloth representing Maa Manikeswari) of the deity was brought out in a procession from the temple to ‘Lakhamara’ Ground on the outskirts of the town. Thousands of devotees visited Bhawanipatna to witness the festival. Sources said the deity comes out of the temple for public darshan on two occasions, Chatar Yatra on Mahanabami and ‘Lakhamara’ festival on Dasami. Maharaja Udit Pratap Deo performed the rituals after which the participants targeted the object fixed at a height of about 35 feet on a bamboo pole from a distance of 200 feet by air gun. Sanjay Behera of Bhawanipatna was able to hit the target. On the occasion, colourful rangolis were made on the road leading to ‘Lakhamara’ Ground. There was massive deployment of security personnel for smooth conduct of the festival.