Jagdalpur, 15 October 2024/ Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai inaugurated the development work of ‘Bastar Dussehra’ Pasra, costing over Rs 2 crore 99 lakh 78 thousand, during his one-day visit to Bastar district today. The old tehsil office, located near the Danteshwari temple, has been renovated and dedicated for Bastar Dussehra, and has been named ‘Bastar Dussehra Pasra’ (place for Bastar Dussehra).
Chief Minister observed a photo exhibition showcasing various rituals of Bastar Dussehra, including a symbolic chariot and representations of gods and goddesses at Pasra, and expressed his appreciation for them. He also posed for photographs near the symbolic chariot.
Efforts have been made to provide easy access to information for the general public and tourists by establishing live replicas of the main rituals of the 75-day Dussehra festival at Dussehra Pasra. These include Pat Jatra, Deri Gadhai, Kacchan Gadi, Raila Devi Puja, Jogi Bithai, Rath Parikrama, Bel Puja, Nisha Jatra, Mawali Parghav, Bhitar Raini-Bahar Raini Kachan Jatra, Kutumb Jatra, and Doli Vidaai.
The world-famous ‘Bastar Dussehra’ is celebrated as a unique cultural tradition of Chhattisgarh, honoring Mata Danteshwari, the revered goddess of the Bastar tribes, as well as local deities. In accordance with a longstanding tradition at the tehsil office, the presence of all deities involved in the Dussehra festival, including Angadev has been documented at this location. Consequently, the administration has relocated the tehsil office to a different site, designating the old office for Dussehra Pasra.
Forest Minister Shri Kedar Kashyap, MP Shri Mahesh Kashyap, Kanker MP Shri Bhojraj Nag, MLA Shri Kiran Deo, Kondagaon MLA Lata Usendi, Chitrakote MLA Shri Vinayak Goyal, Dantewada MLA Shri Chaitram Atami, Mayor Safira Sahu, along with former MPs and MLAs, council members, and other public representatives, were present at the occasion, along with Commissioner Shri Doman Singh, IG Shri Sundarraj P., Collector Shri Haris S., Superintendent of Police Shri Shalabh Sinha, and senior officials.
