Devotees participate in the Thakurani Jatra in Berhampur. Pictures by Gopal Krishna Reddy

Berhampur, April 26: The biennial festival of Buddhi Thakurani popularly known as Thakurani Jatra ended in Berhampur with much pomp and gaiety on Tuesday. The festival, which began on March 28, lasted for 29 days.

Considered as the daughter of the Desi Behera (head of the weavers’ community of Berhampur), Buddhi Thakurani stayed with her father’s family in a temporary abode during the entire jatra period.

“Buddhi Thakurani visited our house at Desi Behera Sahi on the first day and stayed here for 29 days, as my daughter. She returned to her temple on Monday night according to the customs. I am happy that everything passed off peacefully,” said Desi Behera P. Durga Prasad.

During this 29-day jatra, the ghata procession was held everyday when the deity was carried to different streets of the city with much splendour. She travelled a total of 24 streets, and 17 ratha and 13 kalakunja (decorations by local residents of different streets) were erected in Old Berhampur to welcome Buddhi Thakurani. The process for the return journey of the Goddess to her original temple started with the formal invitation to the deity by Bhagaban Gantayat, the chief priest of the original temple, on Monday. Gantayat requested Prasad, to let the Goddess return to the main temple. Buddhi Thakurani left the temporary abode of her father’s house at midnight towards Mahuri palace where Mahuri Raja Ashok Kumar Narendra Dev offered prayer to the Goddess.

Later the ghata procession of Buddhi Thakurani passed through many streets, including Bada Bazar, Santani Sahi, Marthapeta Sahi, Malubari Sahi, Shankarpur Sahi, Jena Sahi, Bachubari Sahi, Kedareswar Sahi, Chandrama Sahi, Khaspa Sahi, Jaura Sahi, Bedibari Sahi and Khadura Sahi. Amidst hulahuli, animal dance and blowing of trumpets by the devotees, the Goddess reached the main temple in the wee hours on Tuesday. Thousands of devotees stood on the streets praying to the Goddess with folded hands. Fourteen platoons of police force were deployed to maintain law and order during the return journey of Buddhi Thakurani.