Conclusion of Maa Mangala’s Jhamu Yatra with Rajarajeshwari Attire

Kakatpur – 23/04/2024 (Tushar Dixit):
Today marked the final Tuesday of the Chaitra month, celebrated as the concluding day of the traditional Jhamu Yatra at the revered Maa Mangala Temple in Kakatpur. As per age-old customs, the last procession of the month-long Chaiti Festival was observed.
At 1 AM, the temple doors were opened, followed by the Mangala Arati, internal cleansing of the temple, bathing of the deity, adornment with attire and sandalwood paste, Surya Puja (Sun worship), and Ballava Niti rituals. After the Ballava Niti, the morning incense ritual (Dhupa) and Bandapana Arati were performed. Subsequently, the temple gates were opened for public darshan.
Devotees, in long queues through the North and Singh Dwar (Lion Gate) barricades, entered the sanctum sanctorum to behold the deity in her Rajarajeshwari attire. Married women (Seemantini Mahilas) performed rituals around the temple premises, offering prayers for the well-being of their husbands and families.
Around 1 PM, Raula Sevaks from Jhanakada Peetha and local Bhoi Patuas participated in a Shobha Yatra (grand procession) to fetch water from the Ghanta Tola Tutha of the Prachi River. They carried this water to the Agni-filled pit located at the temple’s eastern gate, a ritual known as Jhamu Walking.
After receiving divine permission (Agyan Mala) from the goddess, the Patuas, accompanied by traditional instruments like gongs, drums, kahalis, conches, and local chants of “Haribol” and “Hulahuli,” performed the Ghanta Patua Dance. At midnight, a dramatic Kalikā Dance was performed.
A Khamarei Sevak, dressed as Mahakali, wielding a sword, performed a powerful Kalikā dance along the temple premises and in the Sevak Sahi Danda (the servants’ street), amidst the rhythmic beats of drums, conches, and torches, after receiving the goddess’s divine order.
Following this, the Night Dhupa, Gita Govinda recitation, Bada Singhara (grand adornment), and Bhramani Niti rituals were conducted. After the Bada Singhara Dhupa, the temple was closed for the night.
The combination of the Patua Dance during the day and the Kalikā Dance at night left devotees spellbound. The temple administration and local police had made extensive security arrangements for the Jhamu Yatra.
However, amid the heavy crowd, some incidents of theft were reported. Several devotees lost their gold chains and wallets. A woman from Old Town, Bhubaneswar, was reportedly robbed of her chain, though the accused was caught by the public and handed over to the Kakatpur police. As of evening, no formal action had been taken.