South Odisha’s most famous biennial Thakurani Jatra began as per age-old rituals on Tuesday night. Durga Prasad and P Devaki went to the Thakurani temple in an impressive procession to invite the Goddess which started from the parental home Desibehera Street and reached the temple via Nadia Galee-Khaspa Street- Pudee Patiwari Sahi and Kharuda Sahi.
The parents with garlands and sacred earthen lamps went to Maa Thakurani temple to invite the deity (Goddess). Sources said that after the symbolic flower fell down from the head of the deity at 2.10 am, Maa Thakurani came out of her main temple (known as in laws’ house). After performing the traditional rituals, the deity was brought to her parental home in a grand and colorful procession amidst beating of drums, conches, trumpets and dances by the enthusiastic crowd.
After staying 28 days in parental home, the deity will return back to her in law’s house on May 1 night, sources said. On Wednesday morning i.e. on the first day of darshan, the fest reportedly witnessed more than 50 thousand devotees who availed darshan of Maa Thakurani peacefully.
The festival symbolizes the rich cultural and spiritual traditions of south Odisha in general and Brahmapur in particular. A large number of dignitaries and elected representatives of the city joined the procession and remained present while performing the rituals on Tuesday.