Boial Yatra, another form of Shakti worship

SAMBALPUR:  Boial Yatra, the festival of Shakti worshippers, has a special significance for people of rural areas across Western Odisha. While the yatra began this year on September 29, it will conclude on October 5.During the yatra, villagers worship their presiding deities or Goddess Samaleswari for a good harvest. As per the tradition, a male member from the family of village priest plays the prime role during the yatra and is referred to as ‘Barua’. It is believed that the Goddess enters the body of the Barua and he becomes Her emissary. 

Two people known as ‘Bahatia’ hold the Barua tight from both sides in a bid to control him as he sways madly amidst reverberating sounds of Dhol, Muhuri and Ghanta. Thousands of animals are sacrificed by the devotees as offering to the Goddess during the yatra.The Barua, better known as Boial, is taken in a procession around the village amidst beating of traditional musical instruments. He visits every household advising people on their personal problems.

Similar to Boial Yatra, Bali Yatra is celebrated in Sonepur and it continues for 16 days beginning from Aswina Amavasya (new moon day) or Mahalaya to Aswina Purnima. Bali Yatra is also an annual festival of Shakti followers where various rituals are performed in a planned manner. Though the yatra is celebrated in different Shakti Pithas across Sonepur, Sureswari, Samaleswari, Khambeswari and Budharaja Pithas are the main centres that attract huge crowd during the festival.