The world-famous heritage biennial Thakurani Yatra here, which entered the 21st day on Thursday, is gaining momentum with a large number of mythological characters adding colour to the festival.
With the launching of Panchamukhi Hanuman, Iswar and Narayan chariots and four more Kalakunjas since Wednesday, the festival site of Maa Budhi Thakurani, the presiding deity of this silk city, was thronged by lakhs of devotees amidst Ghanta Badyas and Shankha Badyas and chanting of mantras heightening the city’s spiritual fervour.
After performing the traditional Puja at the Mahuri Rajbati, the Ghata was taken in a procession en route Saantarani Sahi, lala Sahi, Nua Sahi, Balaji Pentha, Marthapetta Street on Wednesday. When the procession reached Kapileswar Sahi and Gouda Sahi, the live deity dedicated two more Kalakunjas to her devotees for Darshan.
During the procession of Ghata of the live deity through the eight streets, thousands of devotees were in queue eagerly waiting for the deity to give her Darshan. It was observed that thousands of devotees from neighbouring Andhra Pradesh also thronged the city to take part in the festival.
The city is eagerly waiting to witness the most famous processions of landa (baldhead) Vesha on Friday and Budha (old) Vesha on Sunday to start from Bijipur from where the two Veshas had originated in 1933 and 1937, respectively, and continuing till date.
In the meantime, the Private Bus Owners’ Association has decided to serve meals free of cost to lakhs of devotees for the entire day on Saturday at the New Bus-Stand for the first time in the history of the festival. The festival will come to an end on April 29.