The panchayat of Jadadhar village has finalised arrangements for the ritual procession held once in every three years wherein the presiding goddess Surkanda Devi is carried in a palanquin by selected villagers to her maternal home in Jadadhar village.
After discussion on the subject, it was decided that the goddess will be brought to her maternal home in a palanquin from Surkut mountain on April 7 to the beats of traditional dhol-nagada drums. After the arrival of the goddess in the village, the local villagers and devotees will conduct the worship of the goddess during the nine-day Navratri period in the village itself.
It is worth mentioning here that on every third year during the occasion of Navratri, goddess Surkanda is ceremoniously carried from Surkut mountain in a palanquin by her maternal village of Jadadhar. The villagers undertake the procession of the goddess covering a distance of about eight kilometers on foot to bring the deity to Jadadhar. It should also be mentioned here that during this procession and religious period, the villagers shun footwear and remain barefoot.
According to the folk tradition it is believed that conducting the worship of goddess Surkanda in the village during the nine-day period of Navratri will result in welfare of the area. The Gram Panchayat has already held a meeting to review preparations for this important Yatra. In view of the occasion, the temple to Surkanda Devi in the village has also been coated with fresh colour. The task of removing bushes on the bridle path to be taken in the journey has also been completed.
The village youth selected to carry the goddess to the village reached the Surkanda Devi temple at Surkut mountain on April 6. On the next day, the goddess will be carried by the selected youth to the village on April 7. The arrival of the goddess in the village will be followed by nine days of special ceremonies and prayers in the village. Talking to The Pioneer, the Gram Pradhan Rekha Devi averred that all preparations for this Yatra have been completed.