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| Women awaiting for Puja to Ghata |
The festivity of Berhampur
Thakurani Yatra 2013 concluded on early hours of 30th April. As per
the local faith Bada Thakurani visited the neighbourhood for 25 days between 6th
April morning and 30th April 2013 morning. A garland of Itamalli (an orange
coloured flower) placed in a Ghata (an earthen pot) was taken from the Bada Thakurani Temple to
the temporary abode at the market place and the same Ghata returned back to
the temple which marked the end of the Yatra. The return journey was a
colourful carnival joined by thousands of Ghatas carried by the
common people accompanying the main Ghata.
The last day
preparation of the Yatra involves elaborate rituals. On the day of return a
special Sahasrakhi Ghata (an earthen pot with numerous holes) is worshiped
at the Yatra organiser’s residence from the noon. Traditionally the pot is
procured from the Kumbharpalli in Ankoli, the eastern suburb of the city. Married
women who wish to accompany the Goddess’s procession also prepare Ghatas in their own
homes and offer Puja (worship) from the noon. Such Ghatas are placed near
the Easta-Devi (the family deity) worshiped at their respective residences. The lady
of the household who have decided to carry the Ghata fasts on the day.
At the nightfall
by 10 PM all the women gather at the temporary abode of the Yatra venue carrying
the Ghatas in their head and join the main Ghata in its return
journey which starts after mid-night from the temporary abode. The procession
moves around a pre-scheduled route covering most of the streets of the old city
and finally reaches the Bada Thakurani Temple during morning hours. This year
the return journey started by 12.20 AM and reached Bada Thakurani Temple by 3.25
AM.
The last day of
the Yatra attracts the highest number of visitors. The region beginning from
Giri Market to Hanuman Bazar, Sana Bazar, Bada Bazar, Old Berhampur and its
adjoining areas fills up with people for the whole night. This year 20 Rathas
and
51 Kalakunjas were erected. All over the location was illuminated covering about 3 square
kilometres. As per an estimate above 2,00,000 visitors took part in the
procession this time.
The return journey
which started from the temporary abode at Desi Behera Street routed through
Raja Gorji, Bada Bazar, Sana Bazar, Santa Rani Street, Martha Peta Street,
Keuta Street, Shankapur Street, Jena Street, Bachuvari Street, Kedareswar
Mandir Street, Chandrama Street, Khaspa
Street, Jaura Street, Pudi Devi Street and Kharuda Street. The Ghatas
were
offered Puja at Raja Gorji by the King of Mahuri and by a Kumuti
Vysya family at Jaura Street.
As per the legend
in the older days, once a heavy storm engulfed the Ghata procession and the
Ghata had to take shelter at the residence of a Kumuti Vysya family. Since then
the family is considered as Mausi Ghara (mother’s sister’s home) and the Ghata
procession
stops for a while passing through Jaura Street. Apart from the return journey on
the last day, Ghata also visits Mausi Ghara twice during the
evening procession of Yatra period. Analysts interpret the ritual as the mark
of Kumuti Vysya community involvement in the Yatra.
The womenfolk who carry
Ghatas is considered as a ‘thanks giving task’. Most of the women take part in
the ceremony as a family tradition. Some others who ‘promise a wish’ to carry a
Ghata during the Yatra in the event of facing a crisis in the family life
perform the ritual as a mark of ‘thanks’ to Goddess. All the Ghatas
which
follow the Goddess’s Ghata from the temporary abode to Bada Thakurani
Temple are crushed in the temple compound. This year though the Goddess’s
Ghata reached the temple 3.25 AM the ceremonial crushing of Ghatas
carried
out till 7 AM.
The biennial
Berhampur Thakurnai Yatra is scheduled to be celebrated next time during 2015.
PHOTOGRAPH BY : Laxmi Bej
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