Krittika Satpathy
‘Jugar Jatra’ is a unique ritual that is observed at Kuchipali village in Sohela block of Bargarh district. ‘Jugar Jatra’ is observed during Kali Puja every year. This ritual began to do away with the practice of animal sacrifice. The villagers decided that instead of sacrifice, ‘Jugar’ will be offered to Goddess Kali.
‘Jugar’ is a cone-shaped sweet made up of fried paddy and jaggery. The size of a ‘Jugar’ is around eight feet high. The preparation takes a long time. The people of Kuchipali have been celebrating Kali Puja since a long time. The ‘Jugar Jatra’ ritual began in 1985. It is believed that when the wishes of devotees are fulfilled, they offer a ‘Jugar’ to Goddess Kali in the following year. Gradually, the number of ‘Jugar’ is increasing. This year, in the 35th edition of the festival, more than 500 ‘Jugars’ have been offered to the Goddess. Not only the villagers but devotees from neighbouring states are also seen taking part in this ritual.
The ‘Jugars’ are beautifully decorated and taken to the altar of Goddess Kali in a procession. This festival also reflects communal harmony. Even the Muslim devotees offer ‘Jugar’ to the Goddess. After offering ‘Jugar’ to Goddess Kali, it is distributed among the devotees. The villagers believe that this ritual brings peace and prosperity to their village.