The most awaited festival of Kalahandi district i.e. Chhatar Jatra of Maa Manikeswari was held during the Dussehra. Lakhs of people had thronged to the city to witness this festival. The festival began from the day of Mahastami. As per the tradition, on Mahastami night after Sandhi Puja, the chhatar of Manikeswari was taken secretly to Jenakhal, a place located at outskirt of the town. On the day of Mahanavami morning, after a set of secret rituals in Jenakhal, the chattar of Manikeswari returned to the Temple in a procession. The deity’s jatra was accompanied by dancers performing Ghumura and other tribal dances. The chorus chants created a thrilling sensation and a sense of awe and wonder among lakhs of devotees who congregated there from different parts of Orissa and the neighbouring states. Animal sacrifice was prevalent in this festival. But, government had strictly banned these types of activities. This time also, district administration had created awareness among the public through rallies and leaflets to restrain mass sacrifice of animals during Jatra. But, more than ten thousand animals were sacrificed at Manikeswari’s shrine to appease the Goddess.
Besides this festival of Maa Manikeswari, many temples of the district have been organising the Puja in grand way. Worship as per the tradition began at different Shakti shrines such as Thuamul Rampur, Maa Lankeswari Temple in Junagarh, Kali Temple in Bhawanipatna, Kanaka Durga Temple of Junagarh, Maa Dokri Temple of Talgud and Durga Temple of Bhawanipatna.
