Bhawanipatna, Oct 19: Thousands of devotees thronged Bhawanipatna in Odisha’s Kalahandi district on Monday to witness the historic Chhatar Jatra of Goddess Maa Manikeswari, one of the region’s most prominent religious and cultural festivals.
The annual procession, marked by deep devotion and traditional rituals, began around 5 AM from Jenakhol. The sacred Vijay Chhatar was carried along the designated route before returning to the main Maa Manikeswari Temple in the afternoon.
Devotees from across Kalahandi and neighbouring areas gathered in large numbers to participate in the religious event and seek the blessings of the presiding deity. The festival once again highlighted the enduring faith and rich cultural heritage associated with Maa Manikeswari.
In view of the massive turnout, the district administration and police implemented extensive security measures to ensure the smooth and peaceful conduct of the procession.
As many as 15 platoons of police personnel and 95 police officers were deployed for crowd management and security. Authorities also used 25 CCTV cameras and drone surveillance to monitor the gathering and maintain law and order throughout the event.
Chhatar Jatra holds immense religious, cultural and historical significance for the people of Kalahandi. The annual celebration draws large numbers of devotees and remains a defining expression of the district’s longstanding traditions and spiritual identity.
Leave a Reply