Jeypore: The historic Aparajita Puja in Jeypore of Koraput district was completed in the presence of lakhs of devotees according to the traditional rituals on the occasion of Vijaya Dashami on Wednesday.
After a gap of two years, the palanquins of Goddesses Dakhinakali Bhagabati, Basantayee, and Jagatjanani arrived at the Dussehra ground. Ravan Podi or Ravan Dahan was held last night. Aparajita Puja was performed at around 5.30 am today.
As per tradition, lathis (sacred bamboo sticks), considered to be the incarnation of Goddess Durga, were carried by tribal heads from different villages across Koraput and Nabarangpur districts to Banko Matha at Jeypore amid beatings of drums and tribal dances.
The Jeypore Dussehra celebration is a mix of royal and tribal traditions. The main attraction of the puja is the continuous beating of drums and dancing of dhemsa by tribal communities. Crowds of people from Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and the undivided Koraput district attend the festival.
