The renowned Chhatar Yatra of Goddess Sunadei, one of Nuapada district’s most celebrated festivals, concluded with traditional rituals this year. As in previous years, the sacred peeth of Maa Sunadei at Bodabali turned blood-soaked with animal sacrifices, drawing thousands of devotees from across the state and beyond who offered their tributes and sought the goddess’s blessings. The belief runs deep that witnessing the deity during the Chhatar Yatra fulfils one’s heartfelt wishes.
Goddess Sunadei is the presiding deity of the ancient Chukotia Bhunjia tribal community. They reside in the Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary. Perched atop a mountain peak at over 3,500 feet above sea level, the much-discussed sanctuary hosted more than 59,000 devotees this time. This turned the event into a grand spectacle of faith and fervour. The site buzzed with crowds as people flocked to the peeth for the yatra.
The Sunabeda Sanctuary was abuzz with activity during the festival. Maa Sunadei is worshipped twice a year—during Chaitra Parva in the month of Chaitra and the famous Sunadei Chhatar Yatra in Ashwin. The rituals are performed by gautias, sevayats, badibalas, bajabalas, and chhatriyas from 84 surrounding villages. A unique tradition among the rudimentary tribals stands out. They refrain from auspicious activities like marriages or upanayanas. They even avoid touching forest produce until the Chhatar Yatra is successfully observed.
Sunadei Chhatar Yatra 2025
This year’s Sunadei Chhatar Yatra also saw a political twist, with leaders from major parties visiting to seek the goddess’s blessings. Congress state president Bhaktadas offered prayers and wished well-being for all, accompanied by Congress candidate Ghasiram Majhi and other senior leaders. Following the darshan, the Congress party announced Ghasiram Majhi as their candidate for the upcoming by-election. When asked, Majhi expressed confidence in the goddess’s support. He noted that the happy news of his candidacy came right after the visit. Congress became the first party to declare its candidate for this poll.
Similarly, BJP aspirant Abhinandan Panda performed puja and darshan at the site. BJD hopeful Jay Dholkia also visited to pay homage to the deity. On Tuesday, coinciding with Sharad Purnima, leaders and aspirants from the three major parties—Congress, BJP, and BJD—converged at the yatra. As the saying goes, Maa Sunadei will shower her golden blessings on the deserving candidate. However, the true winner will be revealed only on the vote-counting day.
