Over one lakh devotees witness rathyatra in Sabarsrikhetra

Jeypore, July 16 (UNI) Over one lakh devotees thronged Sabarsrikhetra in Koraput district, known as the ancient abode of Lord Jagannath, to see the unique tradition of Sri Jagannath which was held by tribal 'sabars', the scions of Biswabasu.

Since morning the area was crowded with devotess as rituals were conducted by pentias, sebayats of Lord Jagannath. Later the three deities were taken to the beautifully decorated chariot amidst chanting of mantras and drums.

After a ritual of giving 'sirapas' to tribal sebayats by the officials of district administration and management of Sabarsrikhetra, the chariot was drawn towards Gundicha temple, a Km away from the main temple on the day.

Wearing traditional headgears and costumes, thousands of tribals of Bonda, Koya, Sabara, Paraja, Gadva, Pentia, Bhotra, Gond, Kondh, Bhumiya, Didyai across bordering Orissa, Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh witnessed this tribal Rathyatra.

The district administration and temple management had made special arrangememnts for devotees of others areas for the nine days festival.

The police have made elaborate security arrangements to prevent any untoward incident.

Like in Puri, all rituals would be followed in Sabarsrikhetra during next nine days till the return of the deities to the main temple.

Reports of yatra are also pouring from Malkangiri, Balimela, Nabarangpur, Borrigumma, Kotpad , Rayagada areas. Interestingly, Kutia village, bordering Orissa and Andhra Pradesh , which is on head lines for border controversy since past 40 years, also witnessed the yatra.

However, the chariot of Jeypore could not be drawn on the day as per tradition and it would be pulled tomorrow.

UNI