Bhubaneswar: Devotees in large numbers thronged Maa Mangala temple in Kaktpur to witness Jhamu Yatra and Maa’s Rajrajeswari Besha on the occasion of the fifth Tuesday of Chaitra month.
Celebrated for over a month beginning on the first Tuesday of Chaitra, the Jhamu Yatra has some unique features which include walk on burning charcoal by the devotees.
Rituals of Jhamu Yatra
The Jhamu Yatra is famous in Odisha and other states. Thousands of onlookers visit the temple to witness the devotees walking on fire barefoot. It is celebrated for five Tuesdays beginning from the first week of Chaitra every year. The fifth Tuesday is celebrated as Jhamu Yatra.
All About Jhamu Yatra Rituals
Devotees collect water from river Prachi and walk barefoot on the blazing charcoal spread on a long channel with the earthen pot filled with water on their shoulders. However, it is surprising to find that not a single devotee is hurt by the fire while performing the ritual. It is believed that the impact of fire is nullified by divine intervention. What concerns them most is to appease the goddess to minimise their sufferings. They believe that performing these rituals would reduce their sins and bring peace and joy.
Though the ritual originated from Mangala temple, it is now celebrated in every Shakti Peetha elsewhere in the state. Of late, it also is observed in urban pockets. Devotees do these rituals to get their wishes fulfilled or as a mark of gratitude.
The grand finale of the carnival is held on the fifth Tuesday of the month. Devotees who walk on the fire are colloquially called ‘Patuas’. Thousands of people gather around to watch devotees from different age groups walking on burning charcoal barefooted. On the final Tuesday, a devotee, called Kalisi, claims to be possessed by goddess Mangala. She listens to the difficulties of other devotees and offers solutions to them. Patuas keep performing till the wee hours of the next morning.
Legends
Trilochan Panda, a servitor of the shrine, says, “A zamindar had carried the idol of Maa Mangala from Sri Lanka and was coming to Odisha on a boat. Near Kakatpur, the boatman couldn’t sail his boat as river Prachi was swelled up over its banks. The idol also fell in the river. The zamindar with the help of some priests searched for the idol but their efforts yielded no results. It was then the priests decided to sacrifice their lives in fire. But Maa Mangala came in their dream and told them the directions where Her idol could be traced. As the idol was recovered on the fifth Tuesday of Chaitra month, devotees have been observing Jhamu Yatra to pay obeisance to the Goddess. The priests recovered the idol of Maa Mangala from the river and the idol was initially kept at Deuli Mutt before being consecrated at Kakatpur. The Netrotsav ritual of Maa Mangala is carried out on the first Tuesday. A devotee carries out Kalika Nacha on the third, fourth and fifth Tuesday.
It is worth mentioning here that Maa Mangala is a manifestation of the Mother Goddess Durga. And Rajrajeswari Besha is a unique ornamentation where the Goddess is adorned in all her royal grandeur. Thousands of devotees visit the temple on this special day and offer prayers to get their wishes fulfilled.
According to traditions, the married women observe a fast on every Tuesday in the month of Chaitra and perform panthei puja to bring good luck to their husbands and children.
