Berhampur: The biennial Thakurani Jatra of Berhampur started late night on yesterday with goddess Budhi Thakurani,the reigning deity of the silk city,reached her temporary abode at Desibehera street.The festival began amid pomp and devotion,a sea of devotees converged on the lanes of Silk City to participate in the 26 day long festival of the deity, popularly known as Thakurani Yatra.As per tradition, the Goddess will stay in a temporary abode infront of her parental house in Desibehera street.During the stay,the idol of the Goddess will taken in procession to different streets to facilitate residents worship Her at their own doorsteps.The festival,is being held for 26 days till April 28,formally began late on thursday night with organiser of the yatra, Durgaprasad Desi Behera inviting Thakurani and Sana Thakurani (Kali) to visit his house.Durgaprasad brought a flower,considered a form of the Goddess and placed it at the temporary abode today morning kicking off the yatra.Adding to the devotional atmosphere,is some of the devotees dressed up as mythological characters from Mahabharat and Ramayan besides asura kings.They move around the city on foot, bicycles, rickshaws and even motorcycles. In most cases, children below five years dress up as these characters.The most expensive and attractive attire during the festival is that of a tiger.People either get themselves painted as a tiger or wear costumes, taking the ferocious form.According to historians, the cult of Budhi Thakurani originated along with establishment of Berhampur town in 1672.The Telugu Lingayat Dera (weaver) community, who came to Mahuri on the invitation of the then Raja Saheb of Mahuri, started Ghata yatra to highlight the divinity of Berhampur’s presiding Goddess.Dera community chief Kota Chandramani Kubera Senapati migrated to Mahuri and Berhampur along with his community people where they continued to pursue their profession of weaving tussar silk products or ‘patta matha’.The ghata yatra was initiated for highlighting the tradition of worshiping Thakurani as well as promoting silk products.Budhi Thakurani is considered daughter of Desibehera and She stays with her father’s family during the period of the yatra. Keeping up with this tradition, relatives staying away from home come here to pay obeisance to the Goddess and seek Her blessings. Considering the rush, district administration has made all arrangements for smooth conduct of the festival.Police,under the supervision of Berhampur SP,Dr Saravana Vivek M,has tightened security across the city for the purpose.With the arrival of the goddess at her temporary abode,the entire Bada bazar area decorated and preparations are on to construct the deirty mounted carts as per the tradition.
