Bastar Dussehra preparation progressed a step further with puja of wood log meant for construction of wheels of the chariot, to be used during the festival for moving the deity through the city, performed with traditional fervour on Tuesday at 11 am in presence of hundreds of enthusiastic villagers. The ritual is called Barsi Utarani Puja in local parlance.
Notably, as per the tradition wood logs for construction of various parts of chariot are brought from different villages which have been assigned the task. After performing Barsi Utarani puja of the wood logs the artisans belonging to Jharumargaon then start construction of wheels of the chariot. Besides performing puja, the villagers also offered sacrifices of ‘Mongri’ fish and goat to the deity believing that it would ward off any hurdle in construction of the chariot.