Maa Budhi Thakurani Jatra 2026
The vibrant city of Berhampur is once again glowing with devotion and celebration as it hosts the Maa Budhi Thakurani Jatra 2026, one of the grandest festivals in Southern Odisha.
The Jatra marks the ceremonial arrival of Goddess Budhi Thakurani to her temporary abode at Desibehera Street, with deep-rooted rituals, age-old traditions, and a colorful cultural spectacle that unites the entire city.
As per tradition, the Desibehera the hereditary head of the festival and the leader of the city’s weaver Dera community dons his traditional attire and visits the Budhi Thakurani temple on a Saturday afternoon to invite the goddess to her “parental home.” His wife accompanies him, and together they offer prayers at the Kalika Temple.
The welcoming rituals begin in the evening with the Changudi Puja at the temporary temple set up at Desibehera Street. Following this, flowers are taken from Desibehera’s house to the Budhi Thakurani temple. These fallen flowers, seen as a sacred symbol of the deity herself, are carried back in a grand, decorated night-time procession — marking the official start of the Thakurani Jatra.
This vibrant celebration isn’t confined to Berhampur alone. Various regions of Ganjam district also celebrate the Thakurani Yatra with equal fervor. Among them, the Lanjipalli Thakurani Yatra is another prominent biennial event.
The Maa Budhi Thakurani Jatra is not just a religious festival—it is a cultural identity, a community gathering, and a legacy of devotion passed down generations.