Bhabanipatana: The famous Chhatar Yatra of Goddess Manikeswari, the presiding deity of Kalahandi district, concluded amid religious fervour in Bhabanipatana Monday, drawing hundreds of thousands of devotees from Odisha and neighbouring states.
However, the ceremonial Chhatar, or movable idol of the goddess, returned to the temple much earlier than expected, leaving many devotees disappointed as they missed the opportunity to have darshan.
Following secret rituals inside the sanctum sanctorum around midnight, the Chhatar was taken to Jenakhal on the outskirts of the town.
After the Sandhi Puja, the procession began its return journey at 5 am and reached the temple at 7:45 am.
The town reverberated with traditional music, including Ghumura, Nishan, bells, gongs, conches and drums, as the procession moved through the streets.
Kalahandi Prince Advait Pratap Deo offered prayers before the Chhatar and escorted it into the temple.
The procession usually reaches the temple around noon, but its early return this year triggered resentment among devotees, many of whom had travelled long distances.
Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee president Bhakta Charan Das also expressed disappointment over missing the darshan.
“The goddess usually arrives amid huge crowds, and the procession does not move at such a fast pace.
The administration made a mistake this time, leaving many people unable to witness the ceremonial Chhatar,” he said.
The annual festival featured traditional rituals, including animal and bird sacrifices, despite awareness campaigns by the district administration and various organisations against the practice.
Thousands of animals and birds were reportedly sacrificed, leaving the 3km stretch between Jenakhal and the temple stained with blood.
Local artistes in colourful costumes entertained devotees, with 35 cultural troupes performing during the celebrations.
Kalahandi Collector Pawar Sachin Prakash and Superintendent of Police Nagaraj Devarakonda monitored the arrangements. Bhabanipatana MLA Sagar Charan Das and Lanjigada MLA also attended the festival.
Police deployed 15 platoons of personnel to maintain law and order.
The force included three additional superintendents of police, nine deputy superintendents of police, 20 inspectors-in-charge, 32 sub-inspectors, 47 assistant sub-inspectors and 103 constables and home guards.
The Bhabanipatana Municipality monitored the procession route using 25 CCTV cameras and drones.
Despite the extensive security arrangements, traffic management remained a challenge at several locations.