— Photo: Lingaraj Panda

DEADLY ATTIRE! A devotee dressed as a skeleton on the concluding day of Thakurani Jatra in Berhampur on Monday.

BERHAMPUR: Almost the entire city wore a deserted look on Tuesday till noon as most of its inhabitants were tired after taking part in the return journey of goddess Budhi Thakurani to her temple from her temporary abode at Desibehera street on Monday night.

It marked the end of biennial Thakurani Jatra. The symbolic return journey of the deity through a procession of ghatam started from the Desibehera street at around 11.30 p.m. It reached the temple at 3.45 p.m. passing through the streets of old Berhampur area. More than three lakh devotees took part in the last day of the 24-day long festival.

Ghatam procession

The `Sahasrakshi ghatam' led the procession. It was followed by the ghatam representing the deity carried by the wife of Desibehera, P.Devaki, along with eight other ghatam carried by wives of Dera Senapatis. Thousands of married women from the city and outside took part in this ghatam procession adding the last page to this carnival-like festival. After reaching the main temple of the deity all other earthen ghatam other than the main ghatam, were broken up inside the temple premises. A large pile of debris of these earthen ghatam was created within half an hour.

The journey

This return journey of the deity is observed like the return of a girl from her parental home to her in-laws' house, said Purna Chandra Mishra, a senior citizen of the city. Like any other marriage festivity the whole city like a family seemed to be tired after the carnival of 24 days.

Joyous night

Even there were none to clear up the large pile of broken earthen ghatam debris inside the temple. Small children could be seen gathering up coloured papers and decorative items from this pile. A large number of shops and business establishments of the city remained closed till noon. Even the roads had a deserted look as most of the inhabitants were taking rest after a hectic joyous night that involved the return journey of goddess Budhi Thakurani.

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