Phool Rath (Flower chariot) parikrama was held on Saturday, the first day of world fame Bastar Dussehra. This ritual would continue till Ashwin Shukla Saptami or seventh day of Navratri without any break. On the first day of the Phool Rath parikrama Goddess Danteshwari’s umbrella was put in the Rath.
The Parikrama of the Phool Rath started from the main gate of the Royal Palace after paying ‘Salaami’ (salute) to it. The day’s Parikrama ended after the Phool Rath again reached the main gate of the royal palace after making a round of the Gol Bazaar. After the parikrama, the umbrella of Ma Danteshwari was taken out from chariot. The Chariot was decorated with flowers requisitioned from Raipur.
Notably, this year four-wheel Phool Rath has been constructed afresh. As per Dussehra org-anising Committee, Phool Rath yatra will be conducted daily at 5 pm from October 6 to 10.
One day ahead of the Phool Rath yatra, ritual of Jogi Bithai was held on Friday evening. After Jogi Bithai only, the Phool rath yatra starts. For the Phool rath yatra, priest of Danteshwari Temple brings out the umbrella of the Goddess from the temple and was taken to Mawli Mandir where its pujan was performed. From there the Umbrella was taken to Shree ram Temple located in Jagannath Mandir premises. After performing pujan there also, the umbrella was loaded atop the chariout after it was taken out from Jagannath Mandir through its northern gate.
At this place, ahead of the start of Parikrama, police personnel gave salute to the Rath by firing three rounds in the air in traditional style. From there the chariot was brought to the main gate of Jagannath Temple where it was welcomed by flower woman (Malin) by showering flower on it. From here the Rath was brought to the main gate of Danteshwari Temple where Prikrama ended for the day. It will go on till Saptami or October 11 on which day palanquin of Ma Danteshwari of Dantewada will arrive.