Jeypore: The Ghata Parva (Pot Festival) of Maa Basantayi began today at the local Saura Sahi. Ritual worship and offerings were conducted today as per tradition. The installation of the sacred pot (Pat Handi) took place at 11 AM, and the idol was brought into the temple at 6 PM.
Today, the procession of Maa’s ghata (sacred pot) was carried out only within Saura Sahi. After the ghata returned to the temple late at night, a homa yajna (sacred fire ritual) was performed. Starting Friday, the ghata will begin its ritualistic procession throughout the area. To celebrate the festival with grandeur, the entire stretch from the main road to the temple has been decorated with colorful lights. Beautiful decorative arches have also been set up at the entrance of Saura Sahi and around the temple.
The ghata yatra will continue for 9 days, until the 12th of this month.
Pujari Durga Pradhan mentioned that before the festival began, worship was conducted at the Bhairavi Temple in Nandapur, following tradition. After the homa yajna there, the divine command (Ajnamala) was brought from Bhairava to begin the rituals locally.
According to members of the puja committee, on the second day (4th April), Maa’s ghata will be taken in a procession through each line of Nuasahi. On the 5th, the ghata will tour Das Sahi, Paricha Sahi, the old fire station, Paila Sahi, Panchanan Mandir, Gadi Adhoba Sahi, and Sunari Sahi.
On the 6th, it will cover Saura Sahi, the main road, the back of Jagannath Temple, Madala Sahi, Behera Sahi, Balipata Sahi, Ganga Nagar, Dera Sahi, Samantray Sahi, and the second daily market area.
On the 7th, the ghata will visit Saura Sahi and the Hatakeswar Temple area via Dheapaguda. On the 8th, it will go through Bada Telisahi, Dhoba Sahi, Sarojini Bhavan, Gauda Sahi, Parabeda, and Khalsa Sahi.
On the 9th, the procession will cover Sabhara Sahi, Paninala Sahi, Bhupati Sahi, Sambratota, and Mandia Bhatta. On the 10th, it will proceed through Saura Sahi, Khandara Sahi, and the Old Fort before returning to the temple late at night.
On the 11th, the ghata will once again emerge from the temple and move through Sanateli Sahi, Sauraguda, and Bangalabad.
On the final day, the 12th, the procession will be limited to Saura Sahi only, marking the conclusion of the festival.