Maa Mangala’s Sacred Jhamu Yatra Concludes Today, Thousands of Devotees Mesmerized by Ghanta Patua Dance

Kakatpur, 15/04 (Tushar Dixit) – Today marks the first Tuesday of the month of Baisakh, a day celebrated with the sacred Jhamu Yatra at Maa Mangala’s temple. While this ritual ends elsewhere by Pana Sankranti (last Tuesday of Chaitra), at the temple of Maa Mangala, it continues and concludes today. The main attraction is the fire pit located at the temple’s eastern gate, through which the ritual is performed.

The Ghanta Patua and Bhoi Sevayats from Sarala participated in today’s ritual by walking across the fire pit in devotion to Maa Mangala. Married women completed their Panthi Pooja in five rounds. Various organizations arranged water tents and distributed free Jhechudi Bhoga (a local dish) to devotees. From the new bus stand to the temple, arrangements were made to provide chilled water, buttermilk, and lemon-sugar water. Organizations like Prachi Youth, Drivers’ Association, and the Congress party distributed free food to devotees.

Inside the temple, both the administration and several social organizations set up water and buttermilk stations. In the morning, temple trustees including Kakatpur Tahsildar Ankita Anindita, Executive Officer Kailash Chandra Dash, Kakatpur IIC Umesh Chandra Sahoo, and Sevak Committee President Manoranjan Panda were seen overseeing temple rituals.

At 2 PM, after collecting water from the Prachi river, the Patua Sevayats performed fire-walking while chanting the name of Maa Mangala. Later, using wooden supports, they performed the traditional Ghanta Patua dance within the temple premises, enthralling the gathered maternal devotees from far and wide.

At 4 PM, the ritual Bhanda Dhoopa was performed, followed by the Pahuda (resting of the deity). At 6 PM, the Sandhya Arati was held, and the deity was given a ceremonial bath. By 1 AM, the famous Kalika Nrutya (Kalika Dance) was scheduled to be performed in the temple courtyard by trained Sevaks, under administrative supervision.

Today’s main Sevayat was Santosh Kumar Dixit, with Sharata Kumar Dixit performing duties as the Puja Panda. The temple administration appreciated the disciplined conduct of the devotees and the timely and smooth execution of the sacred Jhamu Yatra, applauding the collective efforts of all Sevayats.