Rajat Vajpayee reports from Jagdalpur.
Jagdalpur. Devotees bid farewell with tearful eyes to the chhatra and doli of Mai Danteshwari who had come to participate in Bastar Dussehra. With this, the longest lasting festival in the world came to an end today. This time due to double Sawan, the duration of Bastar Dussehra festival was 107 days instead of 75.
Umbrella and doli leave for Dantewada
From Singhdeodhi located in the palace, the members of the royal family left on foot towards Jiya Dera carrying Mai’s palanquin, where after the completion of the puja, the chhatra and palanquin left for Dantewada. During this time, an atmosphere similar to the farewell of a daughter was seen.
The last ceremony was completed
According to tradition, during the Dussehra festival, Mai’s umbrella and doli are brought from Dantewada to participate in the festival. After all the rituals of the festival are completed, the goddess’s umbrella is bid farewell.
This time Dussehra festival lasted for 107 days
Let us tell you that this time the historical Bastar Dussehra lasted for 107 days. To participate in the said Bastar Dussehra, the umbrella of Maa Danteshwari and the doli of Maavali Mata left Dantewada on Panchami and reached Bastar on Ashtami Tithi. During this period, more than 50 thousand devotees worshiped the Mother Goddess. After this the rituals of Mavali Parghaav were performed.
Preparations made for mother’s farewell
Now preparations have been made for mother’s farewell on 31st October. It has been told that all the 16 adornment items, rice along with saree, raw coconut, art circle and other items are included in the list. All the materials for its preparation have arrived in the temple premises. At the same time, the five priests and Chalaki who came to collect the mother’s doli will also be honoured.
