Bhawanipatna, Oct. 24 -- The famous Chhatr Jatra of Maa Manikeswari was conducted amid COVID-19 restrictions and tight security without participation of devotees in Kalahandi district of Odisha today.

The festival began at around 5.25 am when the procession of Chhatar of Goddess Manikeswari was taken out to Jenakhol on outskirts of Bhawanipatna from the Manikeswari Temple following secret rituals. The ceremonial chhatar returned to the temple in a procession under restrictions to prevent congregation.

As per the order, no devotee was allowed to enter into the temple nor to take part in rituals during the event. As the animal sacrifice was banned as per the High Court order, the practice of age-old tradition of killing animals on the occ...