Bhawanipatna/Junagarh: The annual Khandabasa festival of Goddess Lankeshwari, the presiding deity of Junagarh in Kalahandi district, was celebrated with grandeur Sunday in the presence of Kalahandi Maharaja Ananta Pratap Deo.
Devotees turned out in large numbers for a direct glimpse of the Goddess. At 6:15pm, the priest carried the patakhanda (sword) of the goddess from the temple in a colourful procession to a temporary hut near the Dak Bungalow. Another khanda from Budharaja temple was also brought there.
Goldsmith Balakrishna Achari conducted rituals and purification of both swords before they were returned to their respective shrines. At 9:15pm, the Goddess’ patakhanda was placed on rice, followed by a small animal sacrifice. At midnight, a major animal sacrifice was offered at the root of a shimuli tree inside the temple complex.
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Police deployed one platoon and additional officers from Dharmagarh subdivision to maintain order. Cultural programmes, including music and dance, added colour to the celebration, drawing thousands of devotees from within and outside the district.
PNN
