The world-famous Bastar Dussehra festival will commence on July 24th this year and continue until October 7th. This unique festival is a remarkable blend of faith, tradition, and tribal culture, drawing a large number of visitors from across the country and abroad to Bastar. The Dussehra celebrations will begin with the Pat Jatra ritual on July 24th, involving the ceremonial bringing of a sacred wood to be worshiped at the Danteshwari Temple complex. This wood, known as Turru Khotla, is used to create tools for the chariot construction. Following this tradition, the process of building the chariot begins, with wood being gathered from the forests.
According to the head priest of the Danteshwari Temple, this tradition has been observed since the princely era and is still celebrated with complete devotion and adherence to customs. It is also believed that this tradition began when Purushottam Dev arrived in Bastar from Jagannath Puri with 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).