300-Year-Old Danda Yatra In Odisha’s Ganjam Untouched By Modernity

Berhampur: Danda Yatra, which is observed in different parts of Odisha’s Ganjam district, has been impacted to some extent amid some changes in its special rituals with a touch of modernity,

However, the Maa Dandakali Yatra being observed at Kulagada under Sheragda block of the district remains unaffected and has kept its age-old tradition pure and intact.

Devotees say traces of modernity have been kept away from the Danda Yatra in the village. The festival is symbolic of devotees’ deep devotion.

Kulagada Danda Nrutya troupe usually comprises over 1500 ‘danduas’(devotees taking part in religious folk dance of Danda Nrutya. Maintaining austerity in the form of fasting, diet control and other restrictions is essential for devotees, said a local devotee.

Interestingly, more and more people in the village are now interested to become ‘danduas’ of this 300-year old Danda Yatra.

To become dandua, one has to wait for years to get permission of the organisers. As many as 122 people are in the panel for the last 10 years waiting to become dandua, it is said.

Meanwhile, over 1,000 new danduas have been invited to be part of the troupe.

As per tradition, priests worship Lord Garudeswar at the temple on the banks of Rushikulya river that flows on the outskirts of the village. Thereafter, ‘danduas’ are given sacred cotton threads (paita) before embarking on a 13-day Danda Yatra, which is first performed in the village.

Various rituals like Gram Parikrama (village visit), Dhuli Danda, Pani Danda and Sandhya Alati (evening offerings) are performed. At midnight, annabhoga (rice offering) mixed with green gram is made for the Goddess.

The ‘annabhoga’ is cocked in brass discs only while ‘danduas’ are served rice between 2 am and 3 am. The family members of the danduas are permitted to partake of prasad.

At dawn, the danduas carry the Mahadev’s khatuli (a small decorated palanquin) and Goddess to visit villages.

On the village streets, various folk dances like Prabha Nrutya, Chedeiya-chadeiyani Nrutya, Dandacharitra and Iswahar-Parvati Nrutya are performed amid playing of traditional musical instruments.

During the 13-day danda Yatra, people are allowed to offer sacrifice of fowls at the Goddess. On eve of Meru Samkranti, ‘Meru Jhula’ a kind of ritual,is performed.