Berhampur: The 25-day-long biennial Thakurani Yatra, a vibrant and historic festival in Berhampur, concluded early Tuesday morning with the ceremonial return of Maa Budhi Thakurani to her temple. The deity, revered as the presiding goddess of the city, began her return journey from her temporary abode at Desibehera Street around midnight on Monday.
Thousands of devotees lined the streets through the night, with many — including women from far-flung areas of Odisha and neighbouring Andhra Pradesh — waiting for hours to take part in the sacred ghata (earthen pot) procession. The ritual, in which hundreds of women carried symbolic pots as part of the farewell ceremony, continued until 9:30 am near the deity’s temple.
Around 11 platoons of forces and 50 officers were deployed in the city to maintain law and order and manage the crowd. “We made elaborate security arrangements to ensure the peaceful conclusion of the festival,” said Saravana Vivek M, SP (Berhampur). No untoward incidents were reported, he said.
The festival began on April 3 with the goddess’s symbolic visit to her paternal home at Desibehera Street, which was marked by the setting up of a temporary temple. Over the 25 days, the city transformed into a canvas of colours, lights, and culture. Locals and visitors alike took part in thematic performances, donning elaborate costumes to portray mythological figures, animals, and even Buddhist monks.
Street after street turned into open-air stages — from the banar sena of Sri Ram parading through Gandhi Nagar and Tulasi Nagar, to Guru Nanak and his followers in Dalua Street. In Bijipur, people dressed as Lord Buddha and monks led a peace-themed procession. “World peace and communal harmony is the core message of our attire,” said Tuku Dalai, one of the organisers of the Buddha monk procession, which saw participation from around 70 people chanting hymns on Sunday.