Kotpad, 23rd Sept 2025: The grand Dussehra festival of Goddess Kanakmani Maa Mauli, the presiding deity of Kotpad town in Koraput district, is celebrated with great pomp and grandeur. For ten days, rituals and worship are performed in her honor. During this time, thousands of devotees from neighboring states like Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, and Kalahandi district come to seek her blessings.
On Monday, as part of the Dussehra celebrations, the traditional “Jogee Sthapana” will be conducted after bringing the divine garland (Ajna Maala) of the Goddess. Various cultural and entertainment programs like Meena Bazaar are also organized during the festival.
On Dussehra night, the idol of the Goddess is brought in a grand procession to the Dussehra festival ground (Padia) in Kotpad, accompanied by dazzling lights and music. A symbolic marriage ceremony of the Goddess with Lord Bhairav is also conducted as per traditional rituals.
Finally, the festival concludes with the burning of the effigy of Ravana. This event draws a crowd of more than 20,000 people from the surrounding areas of Kotpad. The administration also makes various facilities and arrangements for the public.
However, it is unfortunate that even with only one day left for the festival to begin, neither the administration nor the organizing committee has made any arrangements at the Dussehra ground. The Kotpad Dussehra Padia is currently engulfed in neglect and disorder.
The ground is completely filled with mud and slush. At night, gambling and liquor gatherings are taking place unchecked. Even though the BJP office is nearby, no control could be exercised over the situation.
The general public is demanding that the administration take immediate action and expedite the necessary work by paying proper attention to the condition of the festival grounds.
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