File:GosaniYatra Naga Photo8.jpg

English: The Gosani Yatra of Puri has its origin in the folk culture. This fact is evident from the local folk names, they bear such as Kakudikhai, Janhikhai, Barabati, Janhimundia, Sunya Gosani, Hadabai, Gelabai, Belabai etc. During Gosani Yatra, different types of other clay figures like Ravana lifting Kailash mountain, Demons, Nagas, Sampatti wooden toys etc. are also worshipped. Like Gosanis, gigantic images of Naga are also made and worshipped during the festival. These large male images symbolise heroism and valour. The Naga images represent the Akhada culture of Puri.

The Naga’s face consists of big round eyes, sharp nose, curly moustache and beard. A beautiful heavy handia (headgear) adorns his head & on the top of this headgear, a lotus flower of sola can be noticed. The Nagas, beside worshipping, also practised body building and wrestling in these akharas. To commemorate this old tradition, huge figures of Nagas are used to be made in different places of Puri (especially in ‘Akhadas’). Even its depicted in Puri’s famous Sahi Jata (street folk play) where Rabana plays the pivotal role. Among the Naga figures, the Naga of Bali Sahi and Harachandi Sahi are older, bigger and more famous in Puri’s local culture. Also, there are two Nagas – one on the West Gate & another on Grand Road as if guarding the temple, apart from couple of smaller Nagas in various sahis nearby. These type of huge clay images of Naga are indigenous to Puri and not seen anywhere. The huge figure of Naga (near about twenty feet) resembles a human standing in the manner of a hero with a well built body. His attire is associated with the ‘Nagarjuna Vesa’ of Lord Jagannath. His weapon includes mashal (torch), shield, dagger, knife and interestingly, a gun too. On the back of the figure, a tatti (bamboo mat) can be seen tied to his body.

On the following day of Dusshera the Goshanis from all the sahis (streets) come together in procession in front of Jagannath Temple to pay tribute to Lord Jagannath. This is known as 'Bhasani Yatra'. Huge crowd from puri and near by villages gather in front of Jagannath temple to celebrate Bhasanai Yatra. In late night the idols are taken for visarjana in the nearby rivers and Sea.