The fifth round of ‘Phool Rath Parikrama’ (pulling of chariot) was completed without any obstruction with full rituals amidst proper security arrangements in the district headquarters here.
Elaborate security arrangements have been made for the last two days of Dussehra in view of foreign as well as domestic tourists visiting along with local people for the world famous ‘Bastar Dussehra.’
Thousands of people including foreign tourists reached the ‘Parikrama’ venue and participated in the rituals. The two-storeyed wooden chariot prepared afresh every year was pulled manually by people and it took about two hours to complete the Parikrama which had intermittent rituals and proceedings.
The devotees pulled the chariot with vigour and religious fervor. A large number of tribals from different parts of Bastar particularly from Bedaumargaon and Jharumargaon have come to pull the chariot.
Meanwhile, preparations were going on for ‘Nisha Jatra’ during which goats, fish and pigeons will be sacrificed to please the deities. The chariot procession is not held on Ashwin Ashtami and Navami in Bastar Dussehra.
Instead, the sacrifices are performed to please the deities. Two goats are sacrificed each at Mavlimata temple and Rajmahal while one goat is sacrificed at Kali temple besides black pigeon and Mongri fish at the Danteshwari temple.
Meanwhile, elaborate security arrangements have been made for the last two-days of Dussehra celebrations. Adequate police force has been deployed in Jagdalpur.
Directives have been issued regarding safety of residents and foreign tourists. Police parties have been assigned night patrol and checking at more than 18 wards while force has been deployed at two dozen fixed points, officers said.