The eight-day fair of Jaieshwari Mata Dharech began with a procession

The eight-day Dussehra fair of Jaieshwari Mata began on Tuesday at Kelia Ghat in Dharech Gram Panchayat of the Kasupanti constituency. On the occasion of Aathyo or Durgashtami, a procession of the goddess was taken out from the ancient temple of Jaieshwari Mata in Dharech with traditional musical instruments, which concluded at the temple located at Kelia Ghat. Hundreds of people from the area participated in the fair.
Harichand Sharma of the Bazir family of the goddess said that as per tradition, fairs are organised every year in the temple of Jaieshwari Mata at Keliaghat from Durga Ashtami to Purnima of Sharad Navratri. On Durga Ashtami, Jaieshwari Mata Dharech arrives at the ancient temple of Moud at Keliaghat, where she remains seated till the fourteenth day to give darshan to the devotees and returns to her temple Dharech on Sharad Purnima. This year the biggest Dussehra fair is being celebrated on 3rd October, in which a huge crowd gathers to have darshan of the Mata.
The most important thing is that the sight of the Goddess remains the center of attraction at this fair. There are no other activities. A large number of people come to this fair, especially to have their young children’s heads shaved. He explained that Jaieshwari Nagarkoti Mata is believed to fill the empty lap of childless couples. He explained that in the past, the practice of sacrifice was prevalent at this temple, which was stopped by Bazir Moti Ram Sharma even before the Supreme Court’s orders. He explained that rice grains are offered as Prasad at this temple, which people keep in their homes. He explained that after the Goddess’s arrival at Keliaghat, seven jagraas are held at the temple. One is organized by the temple committee, and the other six are organized by Bagol, Dharthi, Sonthal, Rihad, Batnali, and Khagnaal. He explained that all necessary arrangements have been made at the local level for the convenience of the devotees.