Berhampur Thakurani Yatra fetival begins

The famous Berhampur Thakurani Yatra, one of the biggest festivals of southern Odisha, has been celebrated with pomp and gaiety here.
The nearly month-long festival, which began yesterday, celebrates the journey of the deity Maa Budhi Thakurani to her father's house at Desibehera street here. The extravaganza is scheduled to conclude on May 1.
The biannual extravaganza is the festival of the weaving community, known as Devangiris, and organised by P Durga Prasad Desibehera, whose family has been conducting the festival for generations.
Desibehera, head of the Devangiris, and his wife along with several others went to the Thakurani temple in a procession to invite the goddess 'home' at midnight on the first day.

Security arrangements have been made to maintain law and order and a temporary police control room has been set up at Desibehera Street.