Jaieshwari Mata’s Eight-Day Dussehra Fair Begins with Shobha Yatra: A Divine Blessing for Childless Couples

The grand eight-day Dussehra fair dedicated to Jaieshwari Mata commenced on Thursday at Kelia Ghat, located in the Gram Panchayat Dharech of Kasupanti constituency. Marking the occasion of Aathyo or Durgashtami, a vibrant Shobha Yatra was taken out from the ancient Jaieshwari Mata temple in Dharech. The procession, accompanied by traditional drums and shehnai, concluded at the temple situated in Kelia Ghat. Hundreds of devotees from the surrounding regions gathered to participate in this auspicious event.

Shivram Sharma, the temple committee’s representative, shared that the Jaieshwari Mata temple in Dharech, also known as the temple of Mata Nagarkoti, holds deep spiritual significance. According to local tradition, each year during Durga Ashtami of Sharad Navratri, Jaieshwari Mata visits the ancient temple at the Maud Ghat, where she blesses devotees until the fourteenth day of the festival. She then returns to her original temple in Dharech on Sharad Purnima. This year, the main Dussehra fair will be celebrated on October 13, drawing devotees from far and wide to seek blessings from the goddess.

The fair’s primary attraction is Devi Darshan, with people gathering to seek the goddess’s divine grace. Many parents also bring their young children for the traditional mundan ceremony. According to Shivram Sharma, Jaieshwari Nagarkoti Mata is believed to be a powerful and benevolent deity, known for fulfilling the wishes of her devotees. Particularly, couples seeking to have children come to the fair with the hope of receiving her blessings, as she is said to fill the empty laps of childless couples.

Sharma also mentioned that in the past, animal sacrifices were performed at the temple, but this practice was discontinued by the temple committee several years ago. The largest gathering of the festival occurs on Ekadashi, the second day of Dussehra, when throngs of devotees come for Devi Darshan. As a tradition, rice grains are offered as prasad at the temple, which people take home to ward off negative energies.

The local administration has made all necessary arrangements to ensure the smooth and organized celebration of the fair.