Bhawanipatna: Despite restrictions imposed by the district administration, thousands of animals were sacrificed by the devotees on the occasion of ‘Chhatar Jatra’ of Goddess Manikeswari here in Kalahandi district of Odisha on Wednesday.
Large number of devotees from various parts of the district and outside thronged the temple in the midnight and took part in the “Mundabasa” ritual of the Goddess which is observed every year on Shukla Pakhya Astami Tithi in the Odia month of Ashwina.
Later, the ceremonial Chhatar of Goddess Manikeswari was taken out to the Jena Khala on the outskirts of the town from Manikeswari temple this morning. After performance of a Gupta Puja or the secret worship of the Goddess, the Chhatar was brought back in a large procession to the temple.
The return journey of the Chhatar to the temple is known as Chhatar Jatra. As per age-old rituals, devotees, during the procession, sacrifice animals and birds like goats, sheep, cocks, and pigeons every year with a belief of fulfilment of their wishes.
Some devotees who got their wishes fulfilled also released pigeons at the temple of the deity as a mark of devotion.
Meanwhile, elaborate security arrangements were put in place for the smooth conduct of the festival. At least 10 platoons of police forces, over 100 police officers in the rank of Inspector, SI and ASI as well as hundreds of constables and home-guards have been deployed to maintain law and order on the occasion, a senior police official said.
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Ms Kalinga