Bastar Dussehra

Bastar Dussehra is a festival in Chhattisgarh that celebrates the goddess Danteswari.^[1] During Dussehra, the inhabitants of Bastar organize special worship ceremonies at the Danteswari temple in Jagadalpur. On this occasion, a rath is made in which goddess sits.^[2]

It is believed^{[by whom?]} that Maharaja Purushaottam Deo first initiated the festival of Dussehra in the early 15th century. The people of Bastar take part in this holy festival. During the ten days of the occasion, the Raj family of Bastar arranges worship sessions in which the ancient arms of the goddess Danteswari are treated as divine elements. One of the inherent traits of Bastar Dussehra is that control of the state is formally transferred to the Diwan, with the Zamindar and similar important personalities as witnesses. Kunwar Amavasya is the first day of Dussehra. On the night of the first day, the customary transfer of control takes place. Before handing over power to the Diwan, a girl who is believed to possess spiritual powers is asked for permission. This girl is seen with a wooden sword and stands in a war-like posture. The second day of Dussehra is called Pratipada, which is followed by arti and salami. On the ninth day, the Raja of Bastar welcomes the goddess Danteswari, who comes to the entrance of the city in a doli, a type of palanquin.^{[clarification needed]} The tenth day of the festival is called Dussehra, when the Raja organizes a darbar where people present their requests.^{[clarification needed]} An aarti ceremony is held on the last day of Dussehra. The Dussehra of Bastar is distinct from the commonly known Dussehra festival in India.^[3]