World-famous Bastar Dussehra begins with traditional Paat Jatra ceremony
Yellow and Black Modern Streaming Platform Logo - 5
Raipur, July 24
The globally renowned and historic Bastar Dussehra commenced today with the sacred ritual of Paat Jatra held in front of the revered Danteshwari Temple in Bastar on the auspicious occasion of Hariyali Amavasya. This first ceremonial worship, dedicated to Bastar’s presiding deity Goddess Danteshwari, witnessed the participation of Member of Parliament and Bastar Dussehra Committee President Shri Mahesh Kashyap, Jagdalpur MLA Shri Kiran Dev, Mayor Shri Sanjay Pandey, other public representatives, and traditional functionaries of the Dussehra committee including Manjhi-Chalaki, Member-Memberin, Pujari-Gayta, Patel, Naik-Paik, and sewadars, along with a large number of local citizens.
As per tradition, during the Paat Jatra, rituals were performed to worship and consecrate the tools used for chariot-making, including the Thurlu Khotla and other equipment, in a deeply symbolic act marking the formal beginning of the Bastar Dussehra. With this, the 75-day-long spiritual and cultural journey of this iconic festival has officially started. The festival, celebrated with immense devotion and grandeur, will continue through a series of ritualistic ceremonies that reflect the deep-rooted faith and traditions of the Bastar region.
The upcoming rituals will be held as per the established calendar of Bastar Dussehra. The Deri Gadhai ritual is scheduled for Friday, September 5, followed by Kachhangadi on Sunday, September 21. Kalash Sthapana will take place on Monday, September 22, and Jogi Bithai on Tuesday, September 23. From Wednesday, September 24 to Monday, September 29, daily Navratri worship and the sacred Rath Parikrama will be performed. On Monday, September 29 at 11 AM, the traditional Bel Puja will be conducted, followed by Maha Ashtami Puja and Nisha Jatra on Tuesday, September 30. The next day, Wednesday, October 1, will include the Kumari Puja, Jogi Uthai, and the ritual Mavli Parghav. The following day, Thursday, October 2, will witness the Bheetar Raini and Rath Parikrama puja, while Friday, October 3, will be marked by Bahar Raini and another round of Rath Parikrama. On Saturday, October 4, the festival will feature the Kachhan Jatra and the grand tribal congregation known as the Muria Darbar.
The concluding phase of the festival will include Kutumb Jatra on Sunday, October 5, where farewells are ceremonially offered to the village deities. Finally, on Tuesday, October 7, the farewell procession of Mavli Mata’s Doli will mark the end of the historic Bastar Dussehra. This 75-day festival, unmatched in scale and depth of cultural engagement, once again stands as a proud testimony to the living traditions and sacred heritage of Chhattisgarh.