04/10/2025
Bhitar Raini takes place on Vijayadashmi and is one of the decisive public moments of Bastar Dussehra. On this night the great rath (chariot) completes its ceremonial parikrama through Jagdalpur as part of the Vijayadashmi rites.
After the parikrama, a long-standing local custom unfolds: custodial groups take the chariot to Kumhadakot. Traditionally the royal household then proceeds to Kumhadakot to celebrate Navakhani (the new-grain / harvest ritual), and the chariot remains part of this ritual cycle before being brought back near the palace in the following procession.
Seen together, Bhitar Raini is not simply a procession; it is a sequence that links public devotion, harvest rites and royal ceremonial practice - a clear example of how Bastar Dussehra blends tribal customs, agriculture and palace ritual into a living tradition.
Watch our reel to see this whole sequence - the parikrama, the movement to Kumhadakot and the Navakhani moment - captured on the ground.
For guided cultural visits and responsible access during the festival, contact:
www.unexploredbastar.com
+91 91091 88567 / 83700 78567