Pradeep Gupta, Kawardha. At midnight on the Ashtami of Navratri, Khapar will be released from Maa Danteshwari Chandi temple of the city. It is believed that due to the release of Khappar, no disaster or disease of any kind can enter the city, and happiness, peace and prosperity remain in the city. More than 1000 police personnel have been put on duty for this occasion. Read this also: CG NEWS: Two youths were caught carrying crores of rupees in a car, police called for cash counting machine.
The glory of Maa Danteshwari, established by King Mahipal of Kawardha princely state, can be seen even today. The tradition of Khappar continues in the temple even today. Khappar comes out from Danteshwari temple only once a year during Kanwar Navratri. People will come from far and wide to see it. Every year more than 50 thousand devotees come to see Khappar.
Experts say that the tradition of taking out Khappar from Danteshwari temple is more than a hundred years old. The tradition of removing khappar started from Maa Chandi temple of the same city about 25 years ago and from Maa Parameshwari temple about 15 years ago, which continues till today. Chief Panda sets out to tour the city with a sword in one hand and a burning mortar in the other.
Regarding the Chandi temple, it is believed that this idol of the goddess was earlier the clan deity of Itwari Panda, which was sitting in the hut, later the residents of the locality installed it at the present place. Itwari Panda comes out of Chandi temple with Khappar from the beginning. In front of them, two pandas walk from the temple and keep removing the obstacles from the path.