The heritage biannual festival, Brahmapur Thakurani Yatra, entered the 28th day here on Friday. Thousands of devotees across the country braved the hot summer to have a darshan of Maa Budhi Thakurani in her temporary abode as a means to fulfil their wishes. The flow of devotees to the Silk City here increased manifold every passing day. The historic yatra will come to an end after three days, for which the devotees do not want to miss the chance of darshan. Along with the darshan of Maa Thakurani, the devotees are now enjoying the yatra by spending part of their spiritual time for different colourful Raths (carts or chariots) and Kalakunjas moving in different streets along with hundreds of “Veshadharies” in different dresses like Krushna Vesa( lord Krushna), Bagha Vesa (tiger), Dahani Vesh (witchcraft), Hanuman Vesa (lord Hanuman). Besides, a large number of temporary markets, amusement centers, and circus have added flavour to the yatra and attracted the children to enjoy with their parents.
Three days back, 31 Bagha Vesadharies (in Tiger dresses) and 51 Hanuman Vesadharies had started their yatra from Tulasinagar near Aska Road. The large number of attractive Veshadharies were reportedly patronized and coordinated by former Sanakhemundi MlA Ramesh Chandra Jena and BMC Corporator R Murali Mohan, among others. Similarly, now massive preparations are on to bring 108 Hanuman Veshadharies at a time on behalf Gandhinagar Committee on April 25 which would be dedicated to Maa Thakurani. According to information available, these 108 Hanuman Veshadharies would start their parikrama from Gandhinagr 7th line and in an impressive colorful procession will proceed to Maa Budhi Thakurani in her temporary abode as a means to fulfil their wishes.
Since four more days are left for the historic yatra to come to an end, there is a long queue of devotees to have a darshan of Maa Budhi Thakurani in her temporary abode right from morning to night. In spite of heavy police deployment and installation of CCTVs near the yatra places, the devotees are reportedly scared of female burglars and pick-pickets, sources said.
As per a long tradition, the Chief Debaki of the deity and wife of Desibehera is carrying the main “Ghata” on her head and wives of eight Senapatis of Devangi Community are carrying “Parswa Ghatas” on their heads. The Phulla Ghata was taken in a procession to Mahuri Rajbati in Bada Bazar where the Yuva Raj Ashoak Kumar Narendra Deb performed traditional puja and alati with a number of dishes as per the taste of the deity. From Rajbati, the Ghata was taken to different streets and during Parikrama, a number of chariots and Kalakunjas joined the procession and dedicated to the deity which include Narayan Rath in Martha Street, Kalakunja in lala Sahi, Panchamukhee Hanuman Rath in Nua Sahi and Mahadeva Rath in Balajee Pentha Street. During Ghata Parikrama in all the seven streets, thousands of men and women performed puja and rituals. Near the yatra place, DIG (Southern Range) Amitabha Thakur inaugurated “Jala Chatra” for the public to meet the emerging needs of drinking water in the hot summer. Among others, Brahmapur SP Dr Sarthak Sadangi, SDPO Thakur Prasad Patra, IIC of Bada Bazar Police Station Anil Kumar Mohanty and BN Pur Police Station IIC Ajaya Mishra were present.
On behalf of “Desibehera Bazar Banik Sangh” sweet “Halua” was distributed to more than five thousand devotees free of cost near temporary abode of Maa Thakurani. The Sangh also felicitated 31 Bagha Veshadharies and 51 Hanuman Veshadharies near temporary abode of Maa Thakurani. Similarly, the business community of Bada Bazar also distributed ice creams to small children.