Defying restrictions imposed by the local administration, devotees sacrificed hundreds of animals during the Chhatar Yatra of Goddess Manikeswari here in Kalahandi district on Sunday.
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 secret rituals, the Chhatar was taken out in a procession. The return journey of the Chhatar to the temple is known as Chhatar Yatra.
During the ceremony, thousands of devotees resort to animal sacrifice every year with a belief of fulfilment of their wishes. As per rituals, the ‘Mundabasa’ ritual of Goddess Manikeswari is performed at the temple here on Ashtami tithi in Shukla Paksha in the Hindu month of Ashwina.
The district administration made elaborate security arrangements for smooth conduct of Chhatar Yatra, for which ten platoons of police force were deployed.