Thakurani Yatra begins in Silk City

BERHAMPUR: Amid tight security, the famous Maa Budhi Thakurani Yatra, one of the biggest carnivals of the southern Odisha, began on Tuesday midnight with the presiding deity of Silk City — Maa Budhi Thakurani — visiting her father’s house at Desibehera Street.
A monthlong biannual extravaganza, known as the festival of the Devangiris (the weaving community), is being organised by P Durga Prasad Desibehera. Desibehera was also known as the father of the goddess. Two years ago, the festival was held only for a week without any crowd due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
According to tradition, Desibehera, along with other dignitaries, including Berhampur MP Chandra Sekhar Sahu, went to the Thakurani temple in a procession to invite the goddess during the day. They went again at night and returned with a garland of “itala” (ita malli) flowers in a basket. The garland was kept inside a makeshift house erected in front of the house of Desibehera. The ghata parikrama, one of the attractive parts of the festival, will start as per tradition from the third day, said Desibehera.
Adequate security arrangements have been made to maintain law and order.