Bastar Dussehra, a world-famous festival, will be held from July 24th to October 7th this year. This one-of-a-kind festival showcases the incredible blend of faith, tradition, and tribal culture, drawing a large number of visitors from all over the country and even from other countries to Bastar. The Dussehra will begin on July 24th with the Pat Jatra ritual. This ritual involves bringing a sacred wooden log to the Danteshwari Temple complex for worship. This wood is known as Turru Khotla and is utilized in the creation of chariot-building tools. The chariot-building process then begins after this tradition, with wood being gathered from the forests.
The head priest of the Danteshwari Temple has stated that this custom has been practiced since the princely period and continues to be observed with respect and adherence to traditions. Purushottam Dev is also believed to have begun this custom when he came to 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).