On the occasion of Mahastami on Wednesday midnight, three goats were scarified before the goddess at Sata-Bakhara, where seven sisters of Goddess Bhagabati, the presiding deity of Banpur, are worshiped during the 16-day Pujan.
To prevent mass sacrifice of goats, the administration has taken preventive measures by deploying three platoons of armed police personnel at every square of the town and near the Bhagabati temple, said Banpur police station IIC A Dalua.
Besides, thousands of devotees from various places are expected to come for darshan of Goddess Bhagabati on the Vijaya Dasami. The crowds are expected to stay till the festival, security is a concern, according to the authorities.