Berhampur: Ganjam Collector Vijay Amruta Kulange on Sunday appealed to the people of the district to refrain from taking part in Meru Jatra, which marks the end of 21-day of penance by ‘Danduas’ who perform Danda Nacha, a religious folk dance, in the district.
“I would request everyone to stay at home. We have to follow the lockdown guidelines and the social distancing norms to break the COVID-19 chain and flatten the curve,” he said.
The collector said that the Jatra of Maa Tara Tarini was also cancelled for the same reason.
“No temples will open for devotees tomorrow. Only the priests can conduct the daily rituals,” he said.
Strict action will be taken against anyone found violating the lockdown rules, he added.
MERU JATRA
Meru Jatra is observed on the day of Mahabishuva Sankranti in Odia month of Chaitra.
The Dandua troupes move from village to village performing the dance and return to their villages only after 21 days during which the ‘Pata Dandua’ is brought out of the Kali Temple and made to walk on burning coals. He is then hung upside down on a horizontal pole till a few drops of blood from his nostrils fall into yagna pit.
The day also coincides with Hanuman Jayanti, Pana Sankranti, Hindu New Year and Dr Ambedkar Jayanti.
