Thuamul Rampur: Vijaya Dashami and the traditional Lakhmara festival were celebrated with religious fervour and in a peaceful manner at Thuamul Rampur in Odisha’s Kalahandi district Tuesday, marking the conclusion of the nine-day rituals dedicated to Goddess Manikeswari.
The festival was held two days after Maha Ashtami.
The nine-day worship concluded with the observance of Vijaya Dashami and the Lakhmara festival, which saw the participation of devotees and local residents.
The rituals were performed in accordance with traditional practices followed by generations of priests and servitors.
Following the conclusion of the Vijaya Dashami rituals, goddess’s ornaments, brought every year from the Bhabanipatana Sub-Collector’s treasury, were carefully removed and returned to the treasury after being checked and counted.
Additional Tehsildar Tapan Kumar Pati, members of the puja committee and villagers were present during the process, which was carried out under strict verification and security arrangements.