This year, the world-renowned Bastar Dussehra festival is set to begin on July 24th and will last until October 7th. This unique event highlights the incredible combination of faith, tradition, and tribal culture, drawing many people from all over the nation and even abroad to Bastar. Dussehra’s commencement involves the Pat Jatra ritual, which will occur on July 24th. This ceremony involves bringing a sacred piece of wood to the Danteshwari Temple for worship. This wood is called Turru Khotla and is used to produce tools for constructing the chariot. Following this custom, the chariot construction process starts, and wood is gathered from the forest.
The head priest of the Danteshwari Temple stated that this tradition has been observed since the princely era and is still celebrated with great respect and adherence to the traditions. Purushottam Dev is also believed to have started this tradition when he arrived in Bastar from Jagannath Puri, bringing with him the title of Rathpati.
Key Religious Events of Bastar Dussehra:
August 29 – Bel Jatra ritual
September 5 – Dheri Garai Puna ritual
September 21 – Kachhangadi Puja
September 22 – Kalash Sthapana Puja
September 23 – Jogi Bithai Puna
September 24 – Navratri Puja ritual
September 29 – Phool Rath Parikrama
September 30 – Nisha Jatra Puna ritual
October 1 – Jogi Uthai and Mavali Parghav Puja ritual
October 2 – Bhitar Raini Puja ritual
October 3 – Bahar Raini Puja ritual
October 5 – Kachhan Jatra Puja ritual and Muriya Darbar
October 6 – Kutumb Jatra Puja ritual
October 7 – Dussehra concludes with the farewell of the Doli (palanquin).