Bastar: The festival of Dussehra which celebrates the triumph of good over evil, is celebrated for over 75 days in Chhattisgarh's Bastar district.
Bastar Dussehra is famous all over the world for its unique rituals and traditions and is also known to be the world's longest folk festival.
Bastar Dusshera festival begins with Pat Jatra ceremony in Chhattisgarh More than 12 rituals associated with this festival adds to the cultural and religious significance to the annual festival.
Every year this 75 days long celebration of Bastar Dussehra, begins with the Pat Jatra ritual. On Monday, July 20, the ritual of Pat Jatra was observed in Jagdalpur with sacred rituals of constructing a chariot. It begins with the Savan-Amavasya (New moon of the holy month of Shravan of the lunar calendar).
Sal wood logs are used to build the structure which is worshipped and then sent for the construction of the chariot. An idol of Goddess Danteshwari is placed in the chariot which is dragged by around 400 Adivasis around the city.
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According to traditions, the villagers and the worshipping Manjhi arrive in Jagdalpur from Bilori village with the sargi wood.
With the help of this wood, large pallets are made for attaching the wheels in the Dussehra chariot. On this occasion, chariot maker artisans, priests and Manjhis, Chalkis associated with the Dussehra festival take part in the ceremony. Bastar MP and Bastar Dussehra Committee President Deepak Baij was also present at the event.
In the ritual of Pat Jatra, the wood with which hammers and wheels are made for the construction of a chariot is brought from the specific village Bilori to Danteshwari temple premises in Jagdalpur. This year this wood has been brought from Bedarguda Para of Bilori village. According to the rituals, there are 45 houses in Bedarguda and it is necessary for at least one person from each family to be present at the ceremony.
Bastar Dussehra festival committee president and MP Deepak Baij told that a meeting will be held soon with local public representatives, Manjhis, Chalkis and decisions regarding the rally route of the chariot will be decided.
