Jagdalpur, Oct. 23 -- Deities from around 50 villages in areas previously affected by Naxalism participated in the world-famous Bastar Dussehra for the first time this year, after the eradication of Naxalism on March 31, 2026.

The participation included deities brought from remote villages in Sukma, Bijapur and Narayanpur districts, as well as from villages in neighbouring Odisha, marking an increase in the number of deities attending the festival.

Patwari Satyanarayan Sethiya told ANI, "For the first time, many village deities-including those from Abujhmad-have arrived in Bijapur. Deities from the Sukma district have also come to Bijapur for the first time. This is due to the deep faith people have in 'Mai Ji' (the Goddess), and the fa...