State’s crafts come alive at Thakurani Yatra

Berhampur: The traditional art and crafts have come alive in Silk City in the ongoing biannual Berhampur Thakurani Yatra at various locations.
The nearly month-long festival which started on April 4 will end on May 1 with the return of the deities to the temple. Thakurani Yatra is celebrated to mark the visit of the goddess to her father’s house at Desibehera street.
Dazzling lights, decorated pandals, the chariots of different deities and story-telling arts are the major attractions of the festival.
Along with the mythological characters and deities like Ram, Laxman, Parsuram, Jwalamukhi, Mahalaxmi, some of the chariots like boita (boat used in ancient times), doli (swing) and binchhana (fans) were also displayed.
“The chariot of boita displayed at Bacchuwari street represents the rich maritime activities of the then Odisha,” said Hrusikesh Panigrahy, former officer of All India Radio (AIR).