World-Famous Historic Bastar Dussehra Begins with Pat Jatra Ceremony

Public Representatives, Traditional Leaders, Priests, and a Large Gathering of People Participate in the Inaugural Ritual

Raipur : The world-renowned and historic Bastar Dussehra festival began on Thursday with the traditional Pat Jatra ritual held in front of the temple of Maa Danteshwari, the revered deity of Bastar, coinciding with the occasion of Hariyali Amavasya.

The inaugural ritual of Bastar Dussehra saw the presence of several dignitaries including Bastar MP and Chairman of the Bastar Dussehra Committee Shri Mahesh Kashyap, Jagdalpur MLA Shri Kiran Dev, and Mayor Shri Sanjay Pandey. Alongside them were traditional members of the festival committee such as Manjhi-Chalki, Member-Memberin, Pujari-Gaita, Patel, Naik-Paik, Sevadars, and a large number of local residents.

The Pat Jatra ritual marks the beginning of the 75-day-long festival. During the ceremony, traditional worship was performed for the tools known as Thurlu Khotla and others, which are used in the construction of the ceremonial chariot (rath). This sacred act formally initiated the celebrations of the globally recognized Bastar Dussehra.

The major rituals of Bastar Dussehra will continue as per schedule:

• Friday, 5 September: Dera Gadhai (Digging of Sacred Ground)
• Sunday, 21 September: Kachan Gadi ritual
• Monday, 22 September: Kalash Sthapana (installation of sacred urn)
• Tuesday, 23 September: Jogi Bithai (installation of the ascetic)
• Wednesday, 24 September to Monday, 29 September: Daily Navratri and Rath Parikrama rituals
• Monday, 29 September (11 AM): Bel Puja
• Tuesday, 30 September: Maha Ashtami Puja and Nisha Jatra (night procession)
• Wednesday, 1 October: Kumari Puja, Jogi Uthai (ascetic’s departure), and Mawli Parghav (reception of Goddess Mawli)
• Thursday, 2 October: Bheetar Raini (Inner Raini) ritual and Rath Parikrama
• Friday, 3 October: Bahar Raini (Outer Raini) ritual and Rath Parikrama
• Saturday, 4 October: Kachan Jatra and Muria Darbar (tribal court)
• Sunday, 5 October: Kutumb Jatra for bidding farewell to village deities
• Tuesday, 7 October: Final farewell of Maa Mawli’s palanquin, marking the conclusion of the historic Bastar Dussehra.

This ancient festival, uniquely celebrated in Bastar, is not associated with the slaying of Ravana like traditional Dussehra, but is a grand tribute to the local deities and tribal traditions that reflect the rich cultural heritage of Chhattisgarh.